Latest news with #SamWhitelock
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Rugby: Barbarians team stacked full of New Zealanders
Sam Whitelock of and Shota Horie of the Barbarians together with Robbie Deans head coach of the Barbarians, 2024. Photo: Steven Flynn / PHOTOSPORT Barbarians coach Robbie Deans has picked a side that contains six former All Blacks and another five New Zealanders for this weekend's game [ against South Africa in Cape Town]. There are eight players in the starting 15 with another three in the reserves. Former All Blacks skipper Sam Cane starts on the openside with Shannon Frizell at number eight. 2015 World Cup-winning halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow plays inside Chiefs first five Josh Jacomb, while outside them are Peter Umaga-Jensen, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Mark Tele'a and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins. Ricky Riccitelli, Hoskins Sotutu and Lachlan Boshier are in the reserves. Irish backrow great Peter O'Mahony has been named to captain the side. It will be the last time O'Mahony and fellow Irish great Cian Healy will take to the field as professional players. "This side is packed with experience and exciting players and we are looking forward to going out there and expressing ourselves," Deans said. "This is the first time a South African crowd have got to see the Barbarians face the Springboks on home soil and it's going to be a great fixture. "The boys have come in and bonded really well. Those connections will be important against the World Champions." Barbarians: 15 Melvyn Jaminet, 14 Mark Tele'a, 13 Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 11 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Shannon Frizell, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Peter O'Mahony (c), 5 David Ribbans, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Paul Alo-Emile, 2 Camille Chat, 1 Cian Healy. Replacements: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Hassane Kolingar, 18 Will Collier, 19 Josh Beehre, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 Santiago Arata, 22 Joe Marchant, 23 Lachlan Boshier
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE British & Irish Lions and Barbarians legend John Spencer casts urgent warning to rugby bosses amid fear historic aspect of the game will 'die'
As he sat in the foyer of a luxurious, five-star hotel in Cape Town's Camps Bay on Wednesday morning, John Spencer had to break bad news to some of world rugby's biggest names. 'There is a big storm coming here. Table Mountain is closed. We've had a couple of players who wanted to go hand gliding off there,' Spencer, a Barbarians and British & Irish Lions icon, told Mail Sport from South Africa. 'The winery tour is off too and so is the boat trip - that would have been highly dangerous with the waves that are coming into the shore here.' So much for best-laid plans. While the best of the best from Britain and Ireland are with the Lions in Australia and the four home nations are also on their way to tours in foreign climes, the Barbarians are in South Africa for a one-off match against the double world champion Springboks. All Blacks Sam Cane, Mark Telea and Shannon Frizell, former Ireland internationals Peter O'Mahony and Cian Healy and England's David Ribbans and Joe Marchant are all part of the legendary touring side's party. Robbie Deans is coach, assisted by another New Zealand great in Sam Whitelock. And while there might not have been any hand gliding or wine tours, the honour of pulling on the famous black and white shirt remains as big as ever. In an increasingly-packed rugby schedule, the Lions and Barbarians find themselves being squeezed and squeezed again. The long, traditional tours that have been staples of international rugby for so long, are now coming under threat. Spencer, now 77, admits as much. He has represented the Lions and Barbarians as both a player and administrator. 'We can't allow traditional touring to die,' Spencer, now Barbarians tour manager, says, matter-of-factly. 'We are a rebel society, the Barbarians. We make rules on our tours and don't abide by any of them! 'We don't want to lose that. It does feel like we're being squeezed and it can be difficult. You do get clubs who won't release their players, mainly out of fear of injury. 'But what would you rather watch? The Lions or the Barbarians or another club game? 'It is more difficult now, but that's part of the challenge. We embrace that.' The Barbarians, like the Lions, are one of rugby's most famous and historic sides After retiring as a player, two-time World Cup winner Whitelock is coaching with the Barbarians in South Africa this week. 'It's a very special club,' he says. 'It is one of the coolest things in sport. It has an important place in rugby. It needs to be a priority in the game.' The Barbarians, funded by Steven Berrick, is an invitational side founded in 1890. The Lions, now a huge commercial entity, were established two years before that. But with a new Nations Championship at international level coming in biennially from 2026 and talk of R360 – a proposed rebel league – upsetting the club game's established order, it is clear there is change afoot in rugby. Asked if the bad weather meant more time for Barbarians training, Spencer said with a smile: 'I wouldn't go that far! We've had two sessions of 50 minutes already. The boys are being very generous to us! 'It's been a fantastic privilege for me to be involved so heavily in both the Lions and Barbarians. At my age now, I'm fortunate to have such great memories. 'The Barbarians and Lions are similar institutions – neither has a clubhouse nor a pitch. They rely on invitations and you play where you're accepted to play. 'Both are teams full of different nations. Rugby creates memories, friendships and enjoyment. Those are the core values we try and impress on our players. In our first team meeting this week, we all had to introduce ourselves. 'Sam Whitelock was sitting quietly at the back. He introduced himself as the water boy. It takes a certain humility to do that. 'Like the Lions, these tours are an opportunity to form lifelong friendships. Being a Barbarian is a way of life. We play for enjoyment and allow the players to express themselves on the field. People think we tell our players not to kick the ball and to play expansively. 'We never do that. We just let the players put the jersey on and trust them to play, relying on each other's ability. At least we don't have the world championships of box kicking in our matches. They're never boring. Spencer believes the Lions and Barbarians have 'a very important role to play in modern rugby' (Lions star Henry Pollock pictured) Barbarians squad to face South Africa Forwards: Cian Healy (Leinster), Will Collier (Castres), Hassane Kolingar (Racing 92), Paul Alo-Emile (Stade Francais), Camille Chat (Lyon), John Ricky Riccitelli (Auckland Blues), David Ribbans (Toulon), Ruben van Herdeen (Stormers), Josh Beehre (Auckland Blues), Hoskins Sotutu (Auckland Blues), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Sam Cane (Tokyo Sungoliath), Shannon Frizell (Toshiba), Lachlan Boshier (Wild Knights) Backs: Tawera Kerr Barlow (La Rochelle), Santiago Arata Perrone (Castres), Melvyn Jaminet (Toulon), Josh Jacomb (Waikato Chiefs), Peter Umaga-Jensen (Wellington Hurricanes) Leicester Faingaʻanuku (Toulon), Mark Telea (Auckland Blues), Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Highlanders), Joe Marchant (Stade Francais) 'Players come to me regularly and say the Barbarians is the greatest experience of their rugby lives. This week I've been talking to players like Sam Cane, Peter and Cian. 'They've said they've had their interest in rugby rejuvenated and been reminded of the reason why they first took up the game. 'That's incredibly special.' Those invited to play for the Barbarians are paid well for their time. But most would do it for free, such is the honour of receiving the call. The same applies for the Lions. Spencer was Lions tour manager on the 2017 tour of New Zealand when the Test series was shared. Then, he was on the opposite side to Whitelock and Cane. Now, they are part of the Barbarians brotherhood. And that is the beauty of rugby, a sport like no other. While the game moves forward at pace and monetary realities bite, it is clear those in rugby's corridors of power have big decisions to make. But it is also equally obvious the game would be worse off without the Lions or the Barbarians. Rugby must continue to balance the new with the old. Spencer has led the Barbarians in charity work with the Atlas Foundation in Cape Town this week. Saturday's game with South Africa is their opposition's first of the season. 'When the players here in South Africa this week see each other in future years, they'll only have to nod at each other and they'll remember playing together for the Barbarians,' Spencer says. 'There is a strength in the handshake of Barbarians players that will last a lifetime. I have great memories of the Lions and the Barbarians. 'But I also have sad ones too as, unfortunately, a lot of my colleagues have now sadly passed away like Ian 'Mighty Mouse' McLauchlan.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Sam Whitelock backs Ruben van Heerden to shine for Barbarians against Springboks
All Black legend Sam Whitelock says Ruben van Heerden will have plenty of motivation when he runs out for the Barbarians against the Springboks on Saturday in Cape Town. Image: BackpagePix All Black legend Sam Whitelock is backing Stormers lock Ruben van Heerden to make his mark against the Springboks on Saturday in the colours of the Barbarians. Whitelock, assistant coach of the invitational side, spoke highly of the 27-year-old Van Heerden who will relish the chance to measure himself against the Bok locks at the Cape Town Stadium (5.10pm start) after an outstanding United Rugby Championship season. Despite the strong campaign for the Stormers, Van Heerden was unlucky not to get a call-up from the national side. But with an abundance of locks, the world champions are in a fortunate position with depth. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The next best thing for Van Heerden would be to show the selectors that he wants to stay in the Bok conversation, and a good performance for the Baabaas can help with that. According to Whitelock, a lineout expert in his 153-Test career for New Zealand, he's had a couple of conversations with Van Heerden and will keep his door open for him. It's been cool. We've had a bit of time to catch up, and have a yarn about rugby and what I am doing now,' Whitelock said about his chats with Van Heerden. 'Some people (in the squad) I know really well, some I do not. He's someone I didn't know a lot about, but it's been nice to get to know him personally. Ruben van Heerden playing for the @Barbarian_FC on Saturday. There will be some needle. Some fun to be have in Cape Town! — Rágnár Ván Töndérsön (@Slipcatch) June 23, 2025 'If there's anything he wants to know, I'm an open book. I'll help him however I can.' 'I'm really looking forward to seeing him get out there and play. He's got plenty of motivation.' Whitelock added that it's been great to see the Baabaas players taking the initiative during training and that they are not waiting to be told by the coaches. Even if they might not spend as much time on the training field as the Boks will ahead of Saturday's clash, the New Zealander added that it is still special to be involved with the invitational side.
The Age
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Joe Schmidt should let Wallabies play for their states against the Lions. Here's why
There isn't an apples-to-apples comparison to be made between the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 2017 and the one in Australia this year, at least in terms of scheduling. The All Blacks, to the pleasant surprise of many at the time, allowed established Test stars such as Sam Whitelock, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks and Israel Dagg to play for the Crusaders against the Lions just two weeks before the first Test of the series. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has signalled this won't happen this year, and the apparent discrepancy has already been picked up in the northern hemisphere, where fears of the tour being devalued are a quadrennial storyline. The complexity of this year's schedule is that the Wallabies are playing against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6, one day after the Waratahs host the Lions in Sydney and four days after the Reds welcome them in Brisbane. It is the addition of that Fiji fixture two weeks before the first Test on July 19 that will weaken the Reds and the Waratahs for the Lions tour games, not Schmidt's desire to shield his players from injury risk, and the question really become one of whether the Wallabies are better served by the Fiji Test or playing in the tour games. It is self-evident that the tour as a whole would benefit from the Wallabies' top-liners being available for the first three tour games (the Force, the Reds and the Waratahs – the Brumbies game is just 10 days away from the opening Test and a less realistic prospect). Imagine the frisson in Brisbane if Harry Wilson was permitted to run it off the back fence against the Lions in a Queensland jersey on July 2. But from a high-performance perspective, the tour games are also surely better preparation for the Test series than the hit-out against Fiji, whose style is completely different to that of the Lions and whose players are largely familiar to the Wallabies thanks to the presence of the Drua in Super Rugby Pacific.
Sydney Morning Herald
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Joe Schmidt should let Wallabies play for their states against the Lions. Here's why
There isn't an apples-to-apples comparison to be made between the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 2017 and the one in Australia this year, at least in terms of scheduling. The All Blacks, to the pleasant surprise of many at the time, allowed established Test stars such as Sam Whitelock, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks and Israel Dagg to play for the Crusaders against the Lions just two weeks before the first Test of the series. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has signalled this won't happen this year, and the apparent discrepancy has already been picked up in the northern hemisphere, where fears of the tour being devalued are a quadrennial storyline. The complexity of this year's schedule is that the Wallabies are playing against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6, one day after the Waratahs host the Lions in Sydney and four days after the Reds welcome them in Brisbane. It is the addition of that Fiji fixture two weeks before the first Test on July 19 that will weaken the Reds and the Waratahs for the Lions tour games, not Schmidt's desire to shield his players from injury risk, and the question really become one of whether the Wallabies are better served by the Fiji Test or playing in the tour games. It is self-evident that the tour as a whole would benefit from the Wallabies' top-liners being available for the first three tour games (the Force, the Reds and the Waratahs – the Brumbies game is just 10 days away from the opening Test and a less realistic prospect). Imagine the frisson in Brisbane if Harry Wilson was permitted to run it off the back fence against the Lions in a Queensland jersey on July 2. But from a high-performance perspective, the tour games are also surely better preparation for the Test series than the hit-out against Fiji, whose style is completely different to that of the Lions and whose players are largely familiar to the Wallabies thanks to the presence of the Drua in Super Rugby Pacific.
