The 2026 Hot Spring Spas T20 BLACK CLASH - RECAP!

HOT SPRING SPAS T20 BLACK CLASH, in association with Wolfbrook, went down at The Bay Oval, Tauranga on Saturday 17 January 2026. 

Kieran Read returned as Team Rugby captain, and this year’s wildcard was none other than Michael “Mr Cricket” Hussey, who’s racked up over 50,000 career runs. 

And Nathan McCullum returned to lead Team Cricket to hopefully another victory. 

It’s was Rugby vs Cricket legends in an electric summer showdown. 

Jordie Barrett once again delivered a standout performance at the annual Black Clash T20, despite Team Rugby falling to a narrow five-run defeat against Team Cricket at Bay Oval on Saturday night.

The All Blacks star impressed with both bat and ball, earning bragging rights over several big names. With the ball, Barrett claimed three wickets, including a golden duck for 2015 World Cup hero Grant Elliott.

He then nearly dragged Team Rugby to victory, smashing a rapid 46 off just 20 balls, helped by a double-runs over, to keep the chase alive until the final moments.

The highlight came against fired-up former Black Caps legend Neil Wagner, who charged in only to see Barrett launch him twice over the leg-side fence for a pair of towering sixes.

Barrett had a chance to win the match off the final ball, but needing six for victory, he missed a delivery from Elliott, allowing Team Cricket to secure the win

Check out the action that went down!