[EOYT] Barbarians vs. Fiji 30/11/13

[LittleGuy]

Barbarians vs. Fiji 30/11/13, 14:30 GMT, Twickenham Stadium, London, England

Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)

The BaaBaas will try to finally assemble a team capable of getting a win(or heck even a competetive game) when they take on Fiji in the final week of November. Fiji will look to have a win to finish their tour on a high. Frankly I think this match is a decent idea to try and spice up these games which lately have been dour, these two should create some wide open rugby and the Tier One sides have been obiterating the BaaBaas as of late.

 

[Muzzy]

Barbarians have a really strong team. This should be a great match is Fiji still have their good players and they play some open running rugby

Backs:
Willie le Roux (South Africa), Santiago Cordero (Argentina), Charles Piutau (New Zealand), Frank Halai (New Zealand), Jean de Villiers (South Africa), Gavin Williams (Samoa), Patrick Lambie (South Africa), Tom Taylor (New Zealand), TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), Martin Landajo (Argentina)

Forwards:
Keven Mealamu (New Zealand), Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa), Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa), Guillermo Roan (Argentina), Coenie Oosthuizen (South Africa), Matias Diaz (Argentina), Eben Etzebeth (South Africa), Dominic Bird (New Zealand), Manuel Carizza (Argentina), Steven Luatua (New Zealand), Luke Whitelock (New Zealand), Schalk Burger (South Africa), Duane Vermeulen (South Africa)

 

[LittleGuy]

Barbarians have a really strong team. This should be a great match is Fiji still have their good players and they play some open running rugby

Backs:
Willie le Roux (South Africa), Santiago Cordero (Argentina), Charles Piutau (New Zealand), Frank Halai (New Zealand), Jean de Villiers (South Africa), Gavin Williams (Samoa), Patrick Lambie (South Africa), Tom Taylor (New Zealand), TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), Martin Landajo (Argentina)

Forwards:
Keven Mealamu (New Zealand), Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa), Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa), Guillermo Roan (Argentina), Coenie Oosthuizen (South Africa), Matias Diaz (Argentina), Eben Etzebeth (South Africa), Dominic Bird (New Zealand), Manuel Carizza (Argentina), Steven Luatua (New Zealand), Luke Whitelock (New Zealand), Schalk Burger (South Africa), Duane Vermeulen (South Africa)

Agreed Muzzy, if Fiji can field close to their top side we may get a great afternoon of rugby out of this one, I expect to see some pretty slick passing and not much kicking at all. This baabaas team should gel a lot easier than the last couple of editions as lot's of these guys have played together before.

 

[Aspry]

That is a strong barbarians squad, should be a great match if Fiji keeps their best players for this test.

I am happy to see five pumas in the squad, they will earn a lot of experience (specially the young players). They finaly will be coached by some decent guy, an actual Rugby coach that is.

 

[Muzzy]

I read somewhere Nadolo and Talebula are returning to their clubs during this game, hope its not true. Two of their best players

 

[Big Ewis]

errr...I dunno about "a great match". No offense, but Fiji should get smashed in this one if the Barbarians just half-click together.

 

[LittleGuy]

De Villiers is captaining the BaaBaas.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

15 Willie le Roux
14 Charles Piutau
13 Gavin Williams
12 Jean de Villiers (c)
11 Frank Halai
10 Tom Taylor
9 TJ Perenara
8 Duane Vermeulen
7 Schalk Burger
6 Steven Luatua
5 Flip van der Merwe (confirmed replacement for the injured Eben Etzebeth)
4 Dominic Bird
3 Coenie Oosthuizen
2 Bismarck du Plessis
1 Tendai Mtawarira

That'd be my starting XV. I am just a bit miffed at key Bokke like Le Roux, De Villiers, Du Plessis and Vermeulen putting themselves at risk unnecessarily. Hope for a game played in good spirit.

Meanwhile Hansen is giving fringe All Balcks a run...

This would have been the perfect game to play our boys who didn't get a chance as well; Serfontein, Engelbrecht would have been a fantastic mid field for this type of match. Could've given Scarra Ntubeni and Kolisi a run out as well... and the big one!!; PSdT! These guys should've gotten in ahead of their more 'illustrious elders' who- lets be honest- can do with a break.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I think we'll see:

15 Piutau
14 le Roux
13 de Villiers
12 Taylor
11 Halai
10 Lambie
9 Perenara
8 Whitelock
7 Burger
6 Luatua
5 van der Merwe
4 Bird
3 Diaz
2 du Plessis
1 Mtawarira

16 Mealamu
17 Oosthuizen
18 Carizza
19 Roan
20 Vermuelen
21 Landajo
22 Williams
23 Cordero

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I think we'll see:

15 Piutau
14 le Roux
13 de Villiers
12 Taylor
11 Halai
10 Lambie
9 Perenara
8 Whitelock
7 Burger
6 Luatua
5 van der Merwe
4 Bird
3 Diaz
2 du Plessis
1 Mtawarira

16 Mealamu
17 Oosthuizen
18 Carizza
19 Roan
20 Vermuelen
21 Landajo
22 Williams
23 Cordero

Since Hansen is the coach I am sure you know something I don't.

I'd be thrilled if Vermeulen and Oosthuizen get benched.. in fact they needn't play at all. As for the backline, I don't think Lambie has shown anything near the class everyone was expecting of him at 10 for the Bokke. Maybe this game might suit him and with the pressure off.. JdV has gone missing in games he played at 13 the last 2 years while he has been close to his best at 12.

I think whether Piutau or Le Roux play plays 15 is a bit of much over muchness as both like to take the ball up and I expect even more so in an exhibition match. They'll probably both be back and playing off of each other so the number on their backs won't count for much IMO.

 

[Jaguares]

Guillermo Roan?? WTF?!

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Barbarians: 15 Santiago Cordera, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Gavin Williams, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Charles Piutau, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Matias Diaz, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Guillermo Ruan, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Manuel Carizza, 20 Luke Whitelock, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Tom Taylor, 23 Willie le Roux.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9043144,00.html

 

[nickdnz]

Was half expecting Martin Landajo to be named to start at halfback with Hanson selecting this team <_<. That loose forward combo could be very good - on paper that side should destroy Fiji, however as we know the Baabaa's don't always click.

 

[Muzzy]

Nemani Nadolo
Timoci Nagusa
Napolioni Nalaga
Metuisela Talebula
Malakai Bakaniceva,
Wame Lewaravu,
Masi Matadigo

Are all returning to their clubs. Because its not an official test the clubs don't have to release them. Nadolo, Nalaga, Nagusa and Talebula are the best guys in the team, this game officially became a waste of time​

 

[LittleGuy]

Nemani Nadolo
Timoci Nagusa
Napolioni Nalaga
Metuisela Talebula
Malakai Bakaniceva,
Wame Lewaravu,
Masi Matadigo

Are all returning to their clubs. Because its not an official test the clubs don't have to release them. Nadolo, Nalaga, Nagusa and Talebula are the best guys in the team, this game officially became a waste of time​

What a shame, first BaaBaas game I was looking forward to in a while, hopefully the tactical choices will still aloow for some exciting play and tries. Honestly starting to wonder if these games will become a thing of the past in the near future.

 

[psychic duck]

The Barbarians have called up O'Driscoll as a late replacement. Odd selection, he's way past his best.
https://twitter.com/Barbarian_FC/status/405453479381979136

 

[TRF_Olyy]

They said it was because of release issues - MO'D being retired means no problems there.
Agree,though, it is a weird choice.

 

[Aspry]

The only two players that I really wanted to see play get to start, so I am more than happy with that line up. Too bad that Fiji won't have their best players for this test, would have been better for the game itself.

 

[SelimNiai]

The Barbarians have called up O'Driscoll as a late replacement. Odd selection, he's way past his best.
https://twitter.com/Barbarian_FC/status/405453479381979136

Every Irish member was sharpening their swords ready to attack until they saw the tweet itself.

Fiji called up Bristol winger Sammy Speight to play.

 

[Tony Manx]

Hope the poor spectators get something out of their afternoon at Twickers.............can anyone tell me why this match is actually taking place?