1
Parkes skippers new Barbarians squad for Spain after England win
The Barbarians have named a completely new squad to play Spain this weekend following last Sunday’s explosive win over England at Twickenham. A squad led by coach Fabien Galthie took Eddie Jones’ team to the cleaners with a 52-21 victory which was the last match in the professional rugby career of the now-retired George Kruis.
ADVERTISEMENT
With Galthie now set to fly to Japan with France for their upcoming Test series in the Far East, former Cardiff coach John Mulvihill now takes over the responsibility for coaching an invitational squad that is completely different from the Top 14-heavy selection that picked off England.
A Barbarians statement read: “Following a huge victory over England on Sunday at Twickenham, the Barbarians have announced a new squad to face Spain. The squad will assemble in Asturias ahead of the match on Saturday, June 25, at Estadio El Molinon in Gijon, kick-off 21:00 local time.
“Taking the reigns from Fabien Galthie, Australian John Mulvihill will resume his Barbarians coaching position having previously coached the famous Black and White against Australia in 2017. This week’s Barbarians squad features a highly international team, comprising eight nationalities with a blend of youth and experience from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, New Zealand, South Africa, Samoa and Tonga.
“The side will be led by 29-capped Welsh centre Hadleigh Parkes, currently plying his trade in Japan. Other notable stars alongside him include the 6ft 11in Irish second row Devin Toner (70 caps), England’s back row Tom Wood (50 caps), Wales hooker Scott Baldwin (34 caps), All Black prop Charlie Faumuina (50 caps), Samoan fly-half Tim Nanai-Williams and his fellow countryman and Barbarian stalwart Joe Tekori (37 caps), who has represented the club on six separate occasions.
“This will be the last game of professional rugby after stellar careers for both clubs and country for Wood, Toner and Tekori. The Barbarians squad will be aiming to give them similar send-offs to that which George Kruis experienced on Sunday at Twickenham. There are strong sporting family representations with cricketer Ian Botham’s grandson James Botham included alongside Fabien Galthie’s son Mathis. The squad has 433 international caps between them with Nanai-Williams, Faumuina and Tekori all representing the club previously.”
Barbarians president John Spencer said: “We are very much looking forward to this week as we prepare to face Spain next Saturday night. The club is buzzing after a wonderful victory over England on Sunday and this new squad, coached by John, is excited to take up the reins and embody the Barbarians’ ethos and playing style: spirit, passion, courage and flair, united by lifelong friendship.”
ADVERTISEMENT
BARBARIANS (vs Spain, Saturday)
Forwards:
Ed Byrne (Ireland, Leinster)
Scott Baldwin (Wales, Ospreys)
Charlie Faumuina (New Zealand, Toulouse)
Devin Toner (Ireland, Leinster)
Steve Mafi (Tonga, Oyonnax)
Rob Harley (Scotland, Glasgow)
James Botham (Wales, Cardiff)
Abraham Papali’i (Cannaught)
Kirby Myhill (Wales, Cardiff)
Wiehahn Herbst (Cell C Sharks)
Scott Andrews (Wales, Cardiff)
Joe Tekori (Samoa, Toulouse)
Dan Baker (Wales, Dragons)
Tom Wood (England, Northampton Saints)
Backs:
Sebastian Bezy (France, ASM Clermont)
Tim Nanai-Williams (Samoa, Toulouse)
Seabelo Senatla (DHL Stormers)
Hadleigh Parkes (Wales, Panasonic Wild Knights) – captain
Rey Lee-Lo (Samoa, Cardiff)
Adam Byrne (Ireland, Leinster)
Rhyno Smith (Benneton)
Mathis Galthie (Colomiers)
Ahsee Tuala (Samoa, Northampton Saints)
Coach:
John Mulvihill
Comments on RugbyPass
“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?
11 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.
9 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.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 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.
22 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
4 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.
9 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…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments