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Barbarians statement: Killik Cup fixture confirmed versus Fiji
Fiji will take on a Robbie Deans-coached Barbarians in their first match since their recent run to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
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The Pacific Islanders reached the last eight at France 2023, bowing out to England in Marseille, and it will be at Twickenham, the home of English rugby, where they resume their Test team fixtures next June with the Killik Cup up for grabs.
The Baa-Baas are the current holders of that cup, an Eddie Jones-coached team defeating Steve Hansen’s World XV last May in London, and they will stage their defence against Fiji, whose September pool win over Australia paved the way for them to make the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2007.
A statement read: “Barbarian FC are delighted to announce an unmissable fixture against Fiji at Twickenham Stadium in the summer of 2024. The Killik Cup will be on the line on Saturday, June 22, with Robbie Deans leading the Barbarians against an all-star Fiji line-up.
“This will be Deans’ sixth time coaching the Baa-Baas; the 64-year-old Kiwi masterminded victories over Ireland (2015) and Fiji (2016), and oversaw a draw with South Africa (2016), as well as defeats to New Zealand (2017) and England (2015). Most recently, he coached alongside Warren Gatland when the Barbarians faced Wales in 2019.
NEWS ??
We’re back in action at Twickenham next summer in the #KillikCup?? ??
In what’ll surely be an absolute festival of running rugby as we take on @fijirugby ??
Click to buy now below ?? https://t.co/tznYfF6lvN pic.twitter.com/xcC2VtpNOj
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) December 14, 2023
“Deans has been director of rugby at Saitama Wild Knights since 2014, winning five Japanese league titles. The five-cap All Black previously spent five years coaching Australia (2008-13), after eight years with the Crusaders (2000-08) where he also won five Super Rugby championships.
“For Fiji, it will be a first return to Twickenham since their stunning 30-22 victory over England – the first time they had ever defeated the English – in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match back in August.
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“The Flying Fijians went from strength to strength at the tournament in France, capturing the hearts of the neutrals with their high-octane style of play and reaching the last eight for the first time in 16 years before a narrow quarter-final loss to England.
“The Barbarians have faced Fiji four times to date, winning twice in 2013 (coached by Steve Hansen at Twickenham) and 2016 (coached by Deans at Kingspan Stadium). But the most recent meeting between the sides in 2019 ended 33-31 to Fiji, as they overcame a Baa-Baas team led by Eddie Jones in a 10-try thriller at Twickenham.”
Interim Fiji head coach Simi Valenitabua said: “Playing the Barbarians is a wonderful opportunity. They come with a great reputation for fantastic running rugby, very similar to the Fijian philosophy of how we like to play the game.
“Fiji is grateful for the chance to play against the Barbarians at Twickenham, an iconic rugby venue. The club has a rich 130-year history with many of the greats of rugby representing them in that time. Games like these are invaluable to Fiji Rugby, alongside World Rugby’s continued support of our game with the Fijian Drua Super Rugby team.”
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Deans added: “I’m very excited to return to Twickenham. It’s a place where you step out into that arena, and you just want to lace up your boots and play. Obviously, you can’t do that forever, so I’m looking forward to making the most of this opportunity to return there.
“It’s a privilege to pull that Barbarians jersey on and we will certainly be motivated to put on a show and play with the classic, free-flowing style of the Baa-Baas. For me, the Barbarians are the gatekeepers of the soul of the game. Witnessing that unbelievable Barbarians try at Cardiff Arms Park in 1973 is what latched me onto the game and I have no doubt that it had the same impact on a lot of people.
“The moment ignited the spirit of the Barbarians. The game was amateur at the time and now obviously people are well-paid professional players, but the Barbarians remind us all that rugby is still a game at the end of the day, and that we have a responsibility to the generations that follow.
“Fiji have played some great rugby and they are only going to get better without a doubt. Access to Super Rugby with the Fijian Drua has been a fillip for them; it has helped with their depth, so they are going to go from strength to strength.
“Everyone would have been aware of them before the World Cup, but the likes of (Waisea) Nayacalevu and (Levani) Botia are remarkable footballers. Across the board, though, they impressed and grew in their teamwork. The last time Fiji played at Twickenham they were successful, so I’m sure they will be keen to recreate those fireworks again at the home English rugby.”
- Click here to buy tickets for the Barbarians vs Fiji
Comments on RugbyPass
I guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
43 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
2 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
43 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
43 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
2 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
4 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
4 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to comments