The stage was set yesterday for a re-match of last year's World Rugby Classic final when a thrilling finish propelled Barbarians into tomorrow's championship tilt (3.45 p.m.) against New Zealand.

Barbarians, with the score tied 10-10 and time quickly running out, took optimum advantage of some bad luck by England and a short gallop by scrum-half Mark Douglas to seal the victory with just two minutes remaining.

Moments earlier England appeared to be headed for their fourth appearance in the final and third against the All Blacks when tries by Paul Huntsman and Mike Harrison knotted the score. England, however, failed to pull into the lead when Huw Davis' attempts at conversions were unsuccessful, including one kick that hit the upright.

Now comes the hard part for Barbarians, 15-10 victors yesterday, who must face a team that appears to be unstoppable.

"I know exactly how (Barbarians) will do against New Zealand and I don't give them much of a chance,'' predicted England lock Wade Dooley afterwards.

"They'll have to really raise their game to live with New Zealand.'' The All Blacks earlier defeated South Africa 45-0, and while their hands will be politely extended to the Barbarians, they will be covered with boxing gloves.

New Zealand went on another scoring rampage before a capacity crowd at National Sports Club, adding nine more tries to the 14 they scored on opening day. Their offensive machine looked as colourful as South Africa's bright uniforms.

"We look readier than (Barbarians) do,'' All Black Andy Haden said moments after the Barbarians' victory. "While it would have been nice to play against England, I think I wouldn't mind getting even.'' What Haden referred to was last year's disappointing loss in the final against the Barbarians. New Zealand make their sixth trip in six tries to the championship game, while Barbarians will suit up in a final for the second time. (Several members of the Barbarians side, however, played for Wales in their title win in 1988.) It looks as though the pre-tournament decision to add younger players to the All Black mix has paid off handsomely. It was a mixture of old and new, however, that provided New Zealand with their spark again yesterday, with Springbok players immediately flinching as if they were a ripe tomato that just heard the creak of the garden gate.

Newcomer Terry Wright got things rolling with two quick tries down the right corner in the first ten minutes. Bernie McCahill scored seven minutes later following superb passes from Wright and John Boe, the wily veteran who scored a hat-trick to round out the first-half scoring, giving the All Blacks the 30-0 advantage.

The Springboks were immediately in a hole that they could not dig out of, and except for a brief flurry near the try line late in the first half by giant Rudie Visagie, they really never had any solid scoring opportunities.

"They'll be back better next year and they'll be better organised,'' said Haden. "I think they came here to learn quite a bit and they'll go away with a good conception of what the tournament is. You have to win this with quite a lot of running and passing skills rather than anything else.'' Three scores late in the second half by Bruce Middleton, Bryce Robbins and Andy Jefferd rounded out the scoring.

"It's great to beat South Africa, they're such a great team and we're really pleased,'' said Boe, who like Haden will be playing in his sixth final. "To be back in the final is, of course, excellent. Now we've got to try and win this time.'' The Springboks face England in the Plate Final and while any shut-out loss produces an orgy of second guessing, South African players took the loss in stride.

"I think our problem is that we haven't played enough games together and we didn't put in the tackles,'' said full-back Hugh Reece Edwards. "We didn't get enough position, that's the bottom line. A lot of the time when we did have position we squandered it or we lost it in a tackle and had it turned over.'' Said scrum half Craig Jamieson, a smile slicing across the bony plain of his stubbled jaw: "We were always fighting an uphill battle. They play superb rugby as a team. They were well drilled and they took us apart.

"We have lot more to prove and and we've got a lot more in us. Perhaps we can do it in the Plate.'' Barbarians jumped out to a 5-0 first half lead with a try by Don Whittle. When speedy wing Glenne Webbe put the Barbarians in front 10-0 early in the second half spectators began whispering about a New Zealand-Barbarian re-match. Then England found a groove, jamming the Barbarians on every possession, and tied the score before Douglas' heroics dashed any lingering hopes.