We value your privacy

We and our partners store and/or access information on a device, such as cookies and process personal data, such as unique identifiers and standard information sent by a device for personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, and audience insights, as well as to develop and improve products.

With your permission we and our partners may use precise geolocation. You may click to consent to our and our partners’ processing as described above. Please note that some processing of your personal data may not require your consent, but you have a right to object to such processing.

More Options

Wed 5 Nov 2014 | 07:47
Barbarians run riot in entertaining midweek clash against Leicester Tigers

17
Comments

While the dust was still settling the thrilling Barbarians vs Wallabies game, the famous black and white hoops were at it again last night, against Leicester Tigers. The match wasn't televised, but the Tigers have put this great package together.

There was plenty of frustration yesterday as realisation struck that this mouth-watering fixture, featuring some serious world rugby talent, wasn't going to be aired by any TV stations, making it almost impossible for those unable to attend to know exactly what went on.

Up stepped Leicester Tigers though, and despite them actually losing the entertaining match 59-26, they put together highlights from their own, solo-manned camera, used for internal analysis.

As you'll see why when watching, we're all extremely grateful as there were not only some excellent tries, but a few hilarious moments, including an outrageously comical conversion attempt (Francis Saili), and one of the most perplexing tap penalty moves you're likely to see.

It was a midweek fixture and could easily have been overlooked, but with players such as Nick Cummins, Tevita Li, Fumiaki Tanaka, Juan de Jongh and Mahonri Schwalger playing (to name a few), it was deeply frustrating to not be able to watch the entire match live on TV.

It also happened to be a farewell match for Sharks stalwart Jacques Botes, who as some of you will know, has been well above average his entire career, and perhaps could have got a Test cap if it weren't for the kind of competition that exists amongst lose forwards in South Africa.

He can be seen taking two attempts at goal in the video, the first hopeless, and the second to end the match after De Jongh, who was already on a hat-trick after having scored twice before, unselfishly tossed him the ball in the in goal area for a try of his own.

The game ended with the BaaBaas, who had 17 international players from eight different countries, having scored nine tries to the four of the Tigers. De Jongh scored twice while Thomas du Toit, Francis Saili, Heinrich Brussow, Tom English, Michael Rhodes, Tevita Li and Botes also scored.

Thanks again to Leicester Tigers for putting this together for the fans

Posted By: Grant Constable

17 Comments

  • matthew
    12:27 PM 09/11/2014

    Nice. And very pleasant to see a highlights reel of actual highlights rather than just dives over the line and kicks at goal.

  • drg
    4:30 PM 08/11/2014

    No misunderstanding, I think I know what you meant/mean. What I was getting at is that I don't believe any coach would reward or sanction any 'free-flowing' play like this because of how it is statistically very risky.

    Play 10 man rugby, slow, steady, solid and you keep your risks low.. big passes, 'creative' play etc is far more risky. So I was meaning in any sort of competitions there is a teams reputation, sponsors, money etc etc etc..

    I think this sort of stuff is more likely to appear in amateur games in those last ditch 'everything else hasn't worked, lets just cut it loose' sort of moments.

  • mise
    2:01 AM 08/11/2014

    Hi DrG: i'm thinking more of the ideas not the individuals. IE some of the stuff they are trying out may permeate/peculate (choose your osmosis !) into the main game...like a summer school....

  • jeri
    10:49 AM 07/11/2014

    Love it. Devil-may-care fun

  • drg
    11:47 PM 06/11/2014

    I actually thought the guy was giving him a tap of well done when I first saw it.. not so sure now..

    Either way, I totally agree with you about that maori sidestep! Beautiful!

  • drg
    11:46 PM 06/11/2014

    Definitely agree with you... recently the baabaas looked like they lost their appeal.. it was just a chance for one team to go out and try and BEAT the other team no matter what. This time and the previous game looked like a team that went out there to play whatever rugby worked, without hearing an irate coach yelling at them to stick to page 1 of the play book...

    Although, unfortunately I'm not reading too much into this. I don't think much of what they did will transfer into the 'professional' game (cup/league games etc) because of the reputation and pay checks at risk...

  • mise
    5:31 PM 06/11/2014

    along with all of the above comments, I'd add that they are actually perhaps introducing some cutting edge ideas which could become innovations in the game .Its like an elite hit squad of the best players in the world playing the best players in the world without - and here's the crucial bit - anything at stake. So they can try things out, test the very limits of the rules and actually help push the game forward in a weird way. (like the peno huddle, the quarterback lineout throw etc etc)

    And of course the general joy fun and creativity they are bringing is heart warming.

    I was worried for them after the last few years - couldn't see the point or purpose of thebaabaahs in the modern professional game....not now.

    More of this!

  • 10stonenumber10
    5:22 PM 06/11/2014

    Here's hoping the powers that be grab hold of this while the momentum is there.

    Barbarians Legends vs World Legends? No chance of playing the boring 'modern game' when they all retired 10 years ago!

  • stroudos
    2:12 PM 06/11/2014

    Superb.

    Testament to the bonding experience of the game of rugby that the Baabaa guys look they've been mates playing together for years.

    If I can just sour the mood with a bit of negativity, while I love the free-flowing game played by both teams, some of the kicking in open play reminded me very much of the amateur games I play, where I'm constantly infuriated when team-mates put up a silly bloody kick to nothing when there are blokes in space to pass to.

    Also, that grumpy old **** in the crowd about 1:05 into the clip. Although of course I don't know if the player said something to him as well as jumping around in front of him.

    Highlight of the game for me is the Leicester "M" scoring a try just after the 2-minute mark. The way he lined the guy up for a bit of Maori sidestep - it sort of looked like he was taking a backswing before bowling the bloke.

  • katman
    1:03 PM 06/11/2014

    Looks like the kind of game you really want to see live. And what a great way for Jacques Botes to end a brilliant rugby career. He never got the Bok call-up that so many feel he deserved, but the people in Durban know exactly how much he means to a team.

    I'm really sorry Juan de Jongh was not included in this end-of-year touring squad. I think he's the most creative midfield attacker in SA rugby, and he's had a very impressive domestic season.

  • 10stonenumber10
    3:58 AM 06/11/2014

    *is becoming too commercial.

  • 10stonenumber10
    3:57 AM 06/11/2014

    Part of me thinks that is why it wasn't televised... it's not about the profit, or viewer numbers. The game has becoming far too commercial. A win means money. Simple as that. Are sponsors in it because they support the game, or because you can stick a bigger logo on a fat bloke?

  • finedisregard
    2:57 AM 06/11/2014

    Buddy you hit the nail on the head, I'm 37 and the spirit in which the modern game is played is really far from it was when I started. The players are faster and bigger and more people make their living from the game but I think the game is much less fun to watch and play compared to the past.

    At the end of the day all the really cool and unique parts of rugby union come from the amateur game. Bigger isn't always better. Have fun out there fellas!

  • muli-bolo
    1:50 AM 06/11/2014

    Surely the greatest baa baa's team of the modern era? Don't remember another team playing the way these guys have the past 2 games.. LOVED IT though. How about that conversion! Lol.

  • drg
    9:36 PM 05/11/2014

    I like every comment above mine, I think they all sum it up well.

    What a hugely missed opportunity for a tv station, although, tbh it's nice not hearing the usual draining commentary by the usual suspects.

    Thought the conversions/penalty kicks were brilliant! I enjoyed the penalty tap. The whole game looked brilliant. Credit to Leicester for the footage.

    I'm losing my connection with the 'modern game'. I'm still in my mid(ish) 20's so I'm not particularly old, but I find this sort of stuff really highlights how 'commercial' the game has become. It's not surprising and I totally understand it, but when it comes to the world cup.. I think I'd rather watch the baabaa's playing around like this.

    It's difficult, everyone wants to take their rugby seriously, but watching this makes you want to just go have a laugh.... perhaps we're unfortunate that at amateur level you need to be serious, because if you don't then you'll find you're not skilled enough or in tune enough with team mates to pull off anything useful..

    I have a feeling I'm going to break some glass inside somewhere soon by showing off my baabaa skills....

  • ronan
    9:04 PM 05/11/2014

    exactly how a baaaas match should be played.
    would loved to have been there....

  • 45678
    8:52 PM 05/11/2014

    It's really nice to see some amateur traditions kept going. The lettered shirts, the short line out. As for the tap penalty, I'm not sure if you could rule out obstruction, but creative thinking is missing these days. Everyone copies the same template.

    I think cockeril should be inspired by this and stop churning out the same "plan A" every week, because tigers have become very predictable.

Related Articles