Baabaas

England vs Baa-baas called off

Several Barbarian players had left their hotel rooms without the permission of the organisers this week, prompting the RFU to conduct a review on whether the game can be held safely.

In a statement on Saturday, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said the discovery of a further breach of Covid-19 protocols had given it no choice but to cancel the game.

Tonga look to make winning start v Baabaas

     

The 'Ikale Tahi will face a Baabaas squad that led 17-5 against the All Blacks last weekend before eventually sucumming 31-22.

The Barbarians have named a completely new forward pack from the team beaten at Twickenham, while Nic Stirzaker and Robert du Preez form a new halves pairing and Fiji-born Australia wing Taqele Naiyaravoro starts on the right wing in place of the injured Julian Savea.

The Tongan squad has been in Ireland for close to two weeks and coach Toutai Kefu said they were ready to get underway.

Pumas thrash Baabaas and pay tribute to Lomu

The Pumas, who warmed up in black t-shirts carrying the number 11, in tribute to former All Black Jonah Lomu who died this week, ran in seven tries in front of a crowd of 38,101, with wing Santiago Cordero crossing twice and setting up a third.

All Blacks score in big Barbarians win

Former All Black midfielder Ryan Crotty also dotted down, while the Wallabies wing Joe Tomane bagged a brace in the one-sided victory over the English Premiership side.

Fiji's Nemani Nadolo, South Africa's Lood de Jager and Pat Lambie, and uncapped New Zealander Ardie Savea, who plays Super Rugby for the Hurricanes, were the other tryscorers in the ten-try romp.

Matfield to captain Baabaas

Matfield, the veteran lock leads the 125-year-old invitation side before they move on to the Killik Cup match against Argentina at Twickenham this weekend.

Against Gloucester, South Africa's most-capped player captains a starting line-up containing 12 Test players with six World Cup winners in the matchday squad.