Inside the Barbarians - a RugbyPass original documentary
New Barbarians president John Spencer believes the players who have worn the cherished black and white hooped shirt will be the greatest asset towards ensuring the celebrated invitational club continues to thrive in the professional era.
Spencer, who recently took over the administration of the world-famous side following the death last May of the legendary Micky Steele-Bodger, made his prediction while featuring in the latest RugbyPass documentary, Inside the Barbarians.
“I just simply ask you when people say to you in the future, ‘Does the Barbarians have a place in the modern professional game?’ Please tell them: ‘It does.’ And tell them why. And tell them why you enjoyed it and tell them what we encourage in the game.”
RugbyPass gained exclusive behind the scenes access to the Barbarians during the week of their recent November 30 match versus Wales in Cardiff.
The fixture witnessed Warren Gatland coaching against the Welsh at his Principality Stadium farewell following twelve years in charge of the Wales national side.
(Continue reading below…)
The Barbarians game was also the emotional final match in the treasured professional rugby careers of Ireland’s Rory Best and South Africa’s Schalk Brits. They both retired after the final whistle sounded at the end of a memorable week captured by RugbyPass.
“For me, it is the memories you make off the pitch. Of course, it is very important that you put in a great performance on weekends but the beauty of Barbarians is the people,” said recent Springboks World Cup winner Brits.
“The longer I played the game, the less important rugby became but the more important the people became. And if you cherish those moments, even now sitting here at 38, you forget the games but you do remember the people. Every guy who has worn this (Barbarians) shirt, thank you for the memories which will last forever with me.”
Goosebumps ? ?
We invited @RugbyPass @jimhamilton4 behind the scenes to get under the skin of the club ?
Filmed before our match v @WelshRugbyUnion ???????
Watch IN FULL later this week ?#Baabaas #rugby #rugbyunited ? pic.twitter.com/lvJAFJvbmY
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) January 7, 2020
Honoured that RugbyPass were able to deliver an exciting, insightful documentary, Inside the Barbarians director Peteso Cannon said: “The PR team for the Barbarians are fantastic and forward-thinking. They are very conscious of bringing the club into the 21st century with regards to media access, which for us was fantastic.
“When you are embedded with the team for any duration of time it’s hard not to sense the history and the ethos that makes the Barbarians so unique.
“There are many organisations in professional sport that preach enjoyment but few live and breathe it in the way the Barbarians do. That mindset translates to the players and in turn to the pitch. They are the last bastion of a bygone era, making their values and what they stand for all the more important to preserve.”
WATCH: RugbyPass travelled to Brecon to see how life after rugby is treating Andy Powell, the former Wales and Lions player
Comments on RugbyPass
The game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
12 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
12 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
37 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
37 Go to comments