After a four-year hiatus, the familiar scarlet jersey of the New Zealand Barbarians returns for two relatively high-profile games next month.
On June 13, the Barbarians will face the Blues in Whangarei, a rare chance for Northland fans to see their own franchise in action, while on June 20, thefollowing Friday, the Highlanders clash with the Barbarians in Invercargill.
The Barbarians do a lot of work fostering schoolboy rugby, but have been stymied in recent years from playing in high-profile fixtures, a la their British cousins, because of the congested calendar and the difficulty of accessing players.
"The fact that the games are taking part in the very north of the North Island and the very south of the South Island just spreads the word about what the Barbarians stand for," club president and former All Black great Bryan Williams said. He recalled the last major outing for the club, in 2010, when the Barbarians kicked off the New Zealand Maori centenary with a 37-31 defeat in a thriller on the same ground (Toll Stadium) in Whangarei.
While neither game will be televised and is unlikely to carry full first-class status as more than 23 players will be used, they will offer an important arena for fringe Super Rugby players to further their claims, while also providing an opportunity for rugby at a higher level for players in the Barbarians.
Northland ITM Cup coach Derren Witcombe will be in charge of the Barbarians against the Blues, assisted by George Konia, while "Beegee" Williams will act as assistant manager and provide a prominent Barbarians presence within the group.
"It's going to be largely a Northland team, because the numbers at the Blues are going to be down [through All Black and NZ U20s duties]. But we'll put out as strong a team as we can, because we want to give the Blues a good game," Witcombe said.
And the side will, of course, be adhering to the famed Baa-baas' philosophy of open rugby.
"We want to play, so hopefully it'll be a bit of fun, but it won't be a game of touch."
The June 20 Barbarians are likely to put out a more competitive side, coached by Stags coach Brad Mooar and managed by Leicester Rutledge. Players pencilled in include top-calibre recruits such as Rico Gear, Seilala Mapusua and the Southland pair of Jason Rutledge and David Hall. Andrew Hore is also a distinct possibility.
