The Barbarians are set to return to Twickenham next season for an eagerly awaited clash with Fiji on November 30.
One of the most celebrated matches ever played by the Barbarians took place in 1970 when Fiji shocked the rugby world by beating a star-studded Barbarians team containing legendary names such as Edwards, Duckham, Bennett, Slattery and JPR Williams 29-9.
Now two of the most attack-orientated teams in the game are set for a rematch.
Speaking about the shared history of the two sides, Barbarians' president, Micky Steele-Bodger, said playing Fiji was always a great occasion.
"The Barbarians have always had a special affection for Fiji's rugby and its players," he explained.
"Last year Isa Nacewa and Akapusi Qera were very popular Baa-baas and wore our shirt with distinction.
"We look forward to players like them providing equally exciting opposition next November."
Fiji Rugby Union CEO Manasa Baravilala is excited that his country will get another opportunity to face the Baa-baas.
"2013 marks the centenary of the game in our country and we are honoured to be invited to celebrate this landmark with another game against the famous Barbarians.
"Our great victory 40-odd years ago was a major stepping stone in enhancing Fiji's profile. Our opponents then had some of the biggest names in the game but we had our own heroes that day like George Barley, Pio Tikoisuva, Jona Qoro and Isimeli Batibasaga, who became stars overnight.
"The challenge next November is to again showcase the best of Fijian rugby and there can be no better stage than a fixture against the Barbarians."
Comments
rugby_rockstar says...
Hmmmm, A Fijian centinery match at twickenham....
...will there be complimentary birthday cake?
Oh my god! Will the hellishly dull Friday afternoon ever end!?!?!?! Where's Gatland!?! Say some thing stupid so we can all get indignant and shout at you Warren!!!!!!
Posted 15:19 22nd February 2013
hellovanite says...
What a farse... we will never get to see the real Fiji as long as the French clubs have a say in it, and comments about Fiji players from the baabaas president, like "Last year Isa Nacewa and Akapusi Qera were very popular Baa-baas and wore our shirt with distinction."We look forward to players like them providing equally exciting opposition next November." does nothing to reverse the trend. When will the IRB grow a pair and decree that clubs cannot throw money at players to prevent them from playing for their country. If Isa and Akapusi are available I know which team I'd like to see them playing in and it isn't the Baabaas!
Posted 23:25 19th February 2013
stumpy says...
Samoa and Tonga are included much more in the test schedule today than a few years back. Samoa, for example, will this year play the big teams in November, during the summer with a tournament in South Africa with Italy and Scotland, and the Pacific Nations cup.
As for this game, should be good. Fiji really need to get their game going again and perform far better in the forwards, and I'm really optimistic that this will be the strongest barbarians squad for years as they face the B&I lions soon after.
Posted 11:50 19th February 2013
lawynd says...
@swells07 - backnforward's point was, I suspect, that if Tonga and Samoa are more highly ranked than Fiji, then they don't require as much IRB or other assistance to improve their games.
Irrespective of that however, that isn't the reason Fiji are playing the Barbarians. Stop looking for offence where there isn't any, chaps.
Posted 13:23 15th February 2013
swells07 says...
@backnfoward check the rankings and you will see that there is no contradiction with that statement.
Posted 21:24 14th February 2013
backnforward says...
swells07 & firepower,
Ummm, not sure where you are coming from?
This game is possibly more about 100 years of rugby in Fiji than snobbery by the IRB.
As for "You should have included Tonga and Samoa in your test list to develop their game and plus they're above in ranking than Fiji" surely this is a contradiction????
Posted 19:45 13th February 2013
swells07 says...
totally agree with you @firepower.
Posted 08:03 13th February 2013
firepower says...
What about Tonga and Samoa? Stop being a snob IRB. You should have included Tonga and Samoa in your test list to develop their game and plus they're above in ranking than Fiji.
Posted 20:34 12th February 2013