All Blacks v Baabaas

[Scarfman]

Squad:

South Africa HK Bismarck du Plessis
Australia HK Stephen Moore
South Africa PR Tendai Mtawarira
South Africa PR WP Nel
Italy PR Salvatore Perugini
Italy LK Carlo Del Fava
South Africa LK Victor Matfield
South Africa LK Danie Rossouw
South Africa FL Schalk Burger
Australia FL Rocky Elsom
Australia FL George Smith
Wales N8 Andy Powell
South Africa SH Fourie du Preez
Australia SH Will Genia
Australia FH Matt Giteau
South Africa FH Morne Steyn
South Africa CE Jaque Fourie
Wales CE Jamie Roberts
South Africa WG Bryan Habana
Australia WG Drew Mitchell
New Zealand WG Joe Rokocoko
Wales FB Leigh Halfpenny

Coach: Nick Mallett / Alan Solomons

Recent record:

South Africa 22 5 01/12/2007 Twickenham
Belgium 84 10 24/05/2008 Stade Roi Baudouin
Ireland 14 39 27/05/2008 Kingsholm
England 14 17 01/06/2008 Twickenham
Australia 11 18 03/12/2008 Wembley Stadium
England 33 26 30/05/2009 Twickenham
Australia 7 55 06/06/2009 Sydney Football Stadium

 

[Thomond78]

Nice to see some Italians in there, I'd have to say. Can't see Cardiff being too happy if Jaw and 1/2p get crocked playing for the Baabaas the week before the HEC starts back up, mind. :nta:

 

[Blue]

Fark me it's hardly like any of these guys need another game.

 

[The Jackal]

Also some moan on TSF about the amount of Saffers in the team. Maybe a bit of a 3-zip nightmare? :nta:

I do appreciate this BaaBaa concept, after playing against each other all year time to have fun and play with each other for a change and if they can knock the All Blacks over in the process, why not?

aww boo hoo. that's nonsense from them. who's supposed to be in the team? more AB's? they're the opposition. springboks have earned it this year. maybe some frenchies and irish should be there as they've had a good year too. but the best of the welsh are there and a couple 'talians. seems alright to me.

pommies can stay home.

The argument is that the fans & rugby public have had enough of watching the same players playing each other. From S14 to the 3N, it's getting kind of boring and predictable.

If you look at the squad, it's dominated by Boks & Aussie players with only a token Kiwi and some Welsh & Italian players. They might as well call it the SANZAR vs ABs match.

In a time where rugby is trying to attract new fan-bases & growth, wouldnt it be a truly spectacle if the Baabaas came out with a team of superstars from all the top rugby nations...I had mentioned this at the TSF and I think only BillyWebb supported me.

A XV like this would be awesome to watch against the ABs:

1. Salvatore Perugini (ITA)
2. Steve Thompson (ENG)
3. W.P Nel (SA) - continuing the tradition of one uncapped player in the team.
4. Carlo del Fava (ITA)
5. Andries Bekker (SA)
6. Rocky Elsom (AUS)
7. Akapusi Qera (FIJI)
8. Samiu Vahafolau (TONGA)
9. Dwayne Peel (WAL)
10. Carlos Spencer (NZ)
11. Rupeni Caucau (FIJI)
12. Yannick Jauzion (FRA)
13. Seilala Mapusua (SAMOA)
14. Takudza Ngwenya (USA)
15. Mark Cueto (ENG)

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

aww boo hoo. that's nonsense from them. who's supposed to be in the team? more AB's? they're the opposition. springboks have earned it this year. maybe some frenchies and irish should be there as they've had a good year too. but the best of the welsh are there and a couple 'talians. seems alright to me.

pommies can stay home.

bullshit it's nonsense. Oh whoopee, yet another SH match up.. what after all the S14 and 6 3N matches, like I need or want to see the same players again. It's a shithouse barbarians team, focused on winning, not focused on festival rugby & promoting new players. the team should have max representation of 3 players from any one country, instead of just NZ vs SA/Aus like it looks like.


Jackal, you are absolutely spot on. your team would make me get up to watch this match, as it stands, I won't getup, I won't record, I won't even download it. This game is a waste of everybodie's time. The players should be looking fowd to tthe off season.

 

[The Jackal]

Jackal, you are absolutely spot on. your team would make me get up to watch this match...

Cheers mate :thumb

If the selectors were really visionaries (which I doubt highly), what they could have also done is extend an invitation to none other than World Rugby Ambassador - Jonah Lomu - who's currently in good playing condition for Marseille.

Now that would have been a major drawcard.

 

[Newb]

ok ok easy now. i think i agree with you on fundamentals, i just wouldn't make your changes. i agree with the point about not making it similar to another 3N's game because i think most of us feel that even Tokyo was overkill so why add yet another. if anything i would argue give it a more euro (irish, french, welsh stars) feel because that's where all the damn money is right now so if the developers are smart that's who they would target.

but in one argument (for the sake of comparison) maybe they want to showcase the "champions" or creme of the crop of rugby and this year that points to the boks - whether anyone likes it or not. plus since they're playing in london, maybe the crowd there wants to see some foreign players (not in guiness, mangers, top 14) for a change. this game is catering to a NH live audience and today's game is entirely about money for those that put on the matches. sadly only the fans care about these other things anymore.

now if we're looking to promote growth in the game, maybe go with some up and comers. true, only a bit of youth in the group they selected, eh? and from pretty well set up rugby nations. not the variety we're looking for perhaps? but you've named essentially a PI Barbarian team with a few grunters thrown in from euro and SH. that's certainly one way to get some variety and better representation. but if we're looking for new players or up and comers, well they're no spring chickens either.

and to be frank, i feel that team would get handily slaughtered by the AB's. a well matched battle on the pitch is a better display for rugby in my opinion. now that's assuming they actually play with some entertainment and width, as usually happens. by picking the squad they have against the AB's it might turn into a kick-a-thon to bore everyone to sleep. lets hope not.

 

[Ash]

Another tack is selecting the strongest team available in most positions, but also pulling out two or three Belgian or Spanish or Georgian, etc players. Basically little known players who may have the goods in their local comps.

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

Another tack is selecting the strongest team available in most positions, but also pulling out two or three Belgian or Spanish or Georgian, etc players. Basically little known players who may have the goods in their local comps.

thats not a bad idea too - imagine how a young up 'n coming fella from one of those countries would feel playing alongside Matfield, Giteau et al. Would be fantastic.

Newb - although I appreciate that nobody wants to see a thrashing, I can't help but feel looking at the scorelines of the more recent matches, the idea of a Baabaa's match is gone. Game plan should be run run run run & the teams picked appropriatly (on both sides). God forbid we see penalties being kicked again.

 

[Blue]

I'm sure availibility plays a role?

None of the NH players and o'seas players in those teams will be released by their clubs surely?

Agree with those that the team whould be chosen with maximum entertainment and as a celebration of rugby. Too many Saffers in that there team and not enough unusual selections.

I see someone questioned why there arenlt any say Georgians and other second tier players. Problem is likely that the good ones are tied to French and Italian contracts and the Barbarian selectors have never seemed interestred in looking wider that the obvious choices.

For example why does a guy like Tod Clever from the US not get a go? Even as Captain? Their second five also isn't half bad - the Aussie bloke.

I'll tape this and flip through it but I would have stayed up if there was more to look forward to like a fat Portuguese prop and a Romanian whose name nobody can pronounce

 

[Scotty]

I'm thinking it is the same reason, blue. I doubt many of the home nations, irish or french are available. Without doubt the baabaas would invite some of their top players if they could.

People here are getting a bit excited without noting the realities of the northern hemi season.

 

[Thomond78]

Jackal, just to join in the chorus; that would be a handsome team to watch playing, and well worth the money.

 

[Gagger]

Jackle-ites,

I think you guys might be thinking from a southern hemisphere perspective. Viewers up here haven't been glued to the 3Ns and S14 all year and having these guys in town is a tad more exotic than it seems to us antipodean tragics.

Also, there's a sense that when a player pulls on a BaaBaas shirt, the country they play for becomes secondary (e.g. the club socks). As such the crowd just wants to see the BaaBaas win, especially against a Sthn Hemisphere team. They want to see big names (especially exciting ones that they don't regularly watch) take down the visiting big names. A developmental side with fuck all chance of winning wont pull the punters. Twickers went nuts when the Boks got beaten a coupla years back.

I'd agree that in this squad tho there's a slight imbalance (for reasons stated) but sub strategy should mix that up a bit.

 

[Thomond78]

Gagger, that would be fine; were it not for the case that I am an NH rugby tragic, and I, and one of my Saffie mates in London, are not going to this game in London next weekend, but are, instead, driving to Swansea to watch Munster playing the Ospreys at the Library. It'll probably be a better game.

But if I saw Jackal's team up against the ABs, we'd scratch and go to Twickenham instead.

 

[eddo]

I'm surprised Rocky has signed up, for a guy who's played about 4 seasons in a row you think he'd be ready for a nap...

Simple Moses... Money.

Confirmed starters for Saturday
Barbarians: 15 Drew Mitchell (Australia), 14 Joe Rokocoko (New Zealand), 13 Jaque Fourie (South Africa), 12 Jamie Roberts (Wales), 11 Bryan Habana (South Africa), 10 Matt Giteau (Australia), 9 Fourie du Preez (South Africa), 8 George Smith (Australia), 7 Schalk Burger (South Africa), 6 Rocky Elsom (Australia), 5 Victor Matfield (South Africa, capt), 4 Carlo del Fava (Italy), 3 W P Nel (Free State Cheetahs), 2 Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa), 1 Salvatore Perugini (Italy).
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore (Australia), 17 Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa), 18 Quintin Geldenhuys (Italy), 19 Andy Powell (Wales), 20 Will Genia (Australia), 21 Morne Steyn (South Africa), 22 Leigh Halfpenny (Wales).

Given that the AB's have named their Second Stringers too... (a fairly well qualified group I might add)
It should be a great game to watch..

New Zealand: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Anthony Boric, 4 Jason Eaton, 3 John Afoa, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Adam Thomson, 19 Tanerau Latimer, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Sitiveni Sivivatu

AB's by 14, just for being able to speak the same language with the same accent and having the Power Bench.. Keen to see how Mike Delaney goes in the second half when Donald gets dragged for being shit.

George @ 8? .. I'd rather Shalk @ 8.. and George going head to head with Richie.. Maybe the plan is for Shalk to shut McCheat out of the game and George to get free reign to bring the heat. It's lekker hey Paarl?

 

[Gagger]

Gagger, that would be fine; were it not for the case that I am an NH rugby tragic, and I, and one of my Saffie mates in London, are not going to this game in London next weekend, but are, instead, driving to Swansea to watch Munster playing the Ospreys at the Library. It'll probably be a better game.

But if I saw Jackal's team up against the ABs, we'd scratch and go to Twickenham instead.

n=1, and i think the Munster bit might be a clue....

So the organisers of the BaaBaas and the money men of Twickenham are farking idiots and would get a much better crowd and TV deal with a team like Jackle describes?

 

[Thomond78]

Gagger, that would be fine; were it not for the case that I am an NH rugby tragic, and I, and one of my Saffie mates in London, are not going to this game in London next weekend, but are, instead, driving to Swansea to watch Munster playing the Ospreys at the Library. It'll probably be a better game.

But if I saw Jackal's team up against the ABs, we'd scratch and go to Twickenham instead.

n=1, and i think the Munster bit might be a clue....

So the organisers of the BaaBaas and the money men of Twickenham are farking idiots and would get a much better crowd and TV deal with a team like Jackle describes?

I think they're just lazy, and, regrettably, it's been proven that people will trudge to Twickenham to watch any old shite. But in the Os-Munster game, you've POC, DOC, TOL, JdV, Howlett, Mafi, Tommy Bowe, Hook (snigger...), Ricky Januarie, AWJ, Ryan Jones, all in the squads for a game that means something between two teams who genuinely dislike each other. Even were I not a Munster fan, I'd be tempted to watch the ML one first, and wouldn't be making my way out to that ghastly kip. If I'm going to be going halfway to Wales to get to Twickenham as is, I might as well finish the trip...

 

[eddo]

http://www.planetrugby.com/gallery/story/0,25928,9825_5743571,00.html

Hopefully that link will go straight to the baabaas gallery on PR.

Interesting to see which guys, popped their collars..

Up & Deliberate:
Beast, Giteau, Morne

Up & "lets just get the photo done":
Matfield, Jamie Roberts, Jacque Fourie

Down:
Shalk, Rocky, Salvatore, Andy Powell, big Joe Roko and Habana

 

[JJJ]

Why on earth would they pick Morne Steyn at 10 for the barbarians? Isn't the concept of the baa-baas all about promoting adventurous, running rugby? Morne Steyn? And, come to think of it, Nick Mallet as coach? Really?

Also I'm not sure the selectors have read the current mood of the british isles. With all the boks in the side this may well be the first time a European crowd has ever cheered for the All Blacks to win. I'm not saying these boks aren't good enough to merit a spot, they're just supremely unpopular right now. Which may well turn people off attending to support the baa-baas.

 

[eddo]

Why on earth would they pick Morne Steyn at 10 for the barbarians? Isn't the concept of the baa-baas all about promoting adventurous, running rugby? Morne Steyn? And, come to think of it, Nick Mallet as coach? Really?

Also I'm not sure the selectors have read the current mood of the british isles. With all the boks in the side this may well be the first time a European crowd has ever cheered for the All Blacks to win. I'm not saying these boks aren't good enough to merit a spot, they're just supremely unpopular right now. Which may well turn people off attending to support the baa-baas.

I didn't realise they were so unpopular. Are you in the UK or is this going off British Tabloids..