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Stacked squads unveiled for showcase match between NZ Barbarians Legends and Pacific Legends
By Tom Vinicombe
It will be a warm-up match like no other on Saturday as a host of former representatives line up to do battle.
As a precursor to the New Zealand v Tonga game in Hamilton, the New Zealand Barbarians Legends and Pacific Legends will face off in a match that is studded with former stars.
The NZ side includes the likes of ex-All Blacks Carlos Spencer, Rico Gear and Corey Flynn, as well as former League internationals Monty Betham and Ruben Wiki.
The Pacific Legends will roll out Sevens stars Tomasi Cama and DJ Forbes, plus former internationals Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, Gavin Williams and Radike Samo.
Whilst most of the players are a few years past their best-before date, there'll be no lack of want or desire from either team.
Tana Umaga will be in charge of the Pacific team and Michael Jones will coach the NZ Barbarians.
The match has been spearheaded by the MaiBody, MaiFuture health project, which was launched by the Pacific Rugby Players (PRP) last year aims to promote fighting obesity and diabetes via high profile rugby players role modelling healthier lifestyles.
“There has been plenty of ruthless banter going around the teams, which has been great fun, but all the boys know that behind the fun is serious messaging, which is we need to reduce diabetes and heart diseas,” said Barbarians captain Carlos Spencer.
The match will kick off at 12:10PM with the game between the All Blacks and Tonga following at 2:35PM.
New Zealand Barbarians Legends Squad:
Mana Ashford, Monty Betham, Jason Chandler, Loki Crichton, Dave Dillon, Rhys Duggan, Ross Filipo, Troy Flavell, Corey Flynn, Rico Gear, Craig Glendinning, Jarod Hoeata, Tony Koonwaiyou, Tone Kopelani, Wairangi Koopu, Johnny Leo'o, Slade McFarlane, Cameron McIntyre, Matt Mustchin, Sonny Parker, Matua Parkinson, Kevin Senio, Chris Smylie, Carlos Spencer, Sherwin Stowers, Rua Tipoki, Ofisa Tonu’u, Tane Tu’ipolotu, Scott Waldrom, Ruben Wiki
Pacific Legends Squad:
Inoke Afeaki, Tomasi Cama, Graham Dewes, DJ Forbes, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, Frank Halai, Jeff Ierome, Roy Kinikinilau, Nili Latu, Filipo Levi, Lua Lokotui, Laisa Maasi, Deacon Manu, Seilala Mapusua, Onehunga Mata’uiau, Luke Mealamu, Mikaele Pesamino, Junior Poluleuigaga, John Senio, Semo Sititi, Hale T Pole, Justin Va’a, To’o Vaega, Samiu Vahafolau, Lesley Vainikolo, Silao Vaisola-Sefo, Tanner Vili, Gavin Williams, Radike Samo
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Latest Comments
Nah, that just needs some more variation. Chip kicks, grubber stabs, all those. Will Jordan showed a pretty good reason why the rush was bad for his link up with BB.
If you have an overlap on a rush defense, they naturally cover out and out and leave a huge gap near the ruck.
It also helps if both teams play the same rules. ARs set the offside line 1m past where the last mans feet were😅
Go to commentsYeah nar, should work for sure. I was just asking why would you do it that way?
It could be achieved by outsourcing all your IP and players to New Zealand, Japan, and America, with a big Super competition between those countries raking it in with all of Australia's best talent to help them at a club level. When there is enough of a following and players coming through internally, and from other international countries (starting out like Australia/without a pro scene), for these high profile clubs to compete without a heavy australian base, then RA could use all the money they'd saved over the decades to turn things around at home and fund 4 super sides of their own that would be good enough to compete.
That sounds like a great model to reset the game in Aus. Take a couple of decades to invest in youth and community networks before trying to become professional again. I just suggest most aussies would be a bit more optimistic they can make it work without the two decades without any pro club rugby bit.
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