Bok ‘Beast’ Mtawarira picked by Jones to face the Flying Fijians
Barbarians coach Eddie Jones has named three strong men in the rugby world to face the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians on November 16 at Twickenham. And recently retired Ireland hooker Rory Best can’t wait to lace up his boots again after the Rugby World Cup for the Killik Cup clash.
England coach Eddie Jones has named Best, South Africans Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira and former French centre/captain Mathieu Bastereaud in his squad.
The fourth player is halfback Herschel Jantjies who together with Mtawarira are expected to be named by Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus for the Rugby World Cup final in Yokohama on Saturday.
While Fiji Airways Flying Fijians head coach John McKee has selected a young and fresh squad retaining only for four players from the RWC, Jones has added experience, power upfront and in the backline.
Best, the 124-capped hooker, called time on an international career after the RWC quarterfinal defeat against NZ.
“I am delighted and very honoured to be given the chance to play for the Barbarians,” he said.
“It has long been on my bucket list and I’m very much looking forward to joining the squad to take on Fijians at Twickenham in November.”
Mtawarira is the most-capped member of the current Bok squad. He has been a cornerstone of the Bok pack since 2008 and was massive in the 2009 series victory over the British & Irish Lions. In 2016, he overtook Os du Randt as the most-capped Springbok prop and powerful scrummager. Bastareaud quits international rugby a day after he was omitted from the France squad for the 2019 RWC.
Playing and based in New York, Bastareaud was captain of the French team that lost to Fiji Airways Flying Fijians 14-21 in November last year.
The 30-year-old has 54 caps to his name and it would take some stopping the 19 stone midfielder. Meanwhile, McKee has named a young and local based players in the 27-member squad due to the unavailability of top players playing in the Northern Hemisphere. The squad is dominated by 13 Fiji Airways Fijian Drua players who reached the semifinal of the NRC
Locks Temo Mayanavanua, Sikeli Nabou, Viliame Rarasea and flanker Saimoni Uluninakauvadra who have been part of the current Mitre 10 Cup have also been drafted into the squad.
Utility back Asaeli Tikoirotuma has been included to add some experience in the very young backline
Eroni Mawi, Mosese Voka, Ratu Veremalua Vugakoto and Frank Lomani are the only for players available from the RWC squad.
Squad: Loose-head prop-Eroni Mawi
Joeli Veitayaki; Hooker-Ratu Veremalua
Vugakoto, Tevita Ikanivere; Tight-head propSamuela Tawake, Mosese Ducivaki; Locks-Temo Mayanavanua, Tevita Naqali Sikeli Nabou, Viliame Rarasea; FlankersMosese Voka, Johnny Dyer, Saimoni Uluinakauvadra; No.8-Eremasi Radrodro; Halfback-Frank Lomani, Peni Matawalu; No.10-Teti Tela/Jone Manu, Caleb Muntz’ Wingers-Juita Wainiqolo, Tira Patterson Eroni Sau/Patrick Osborne; Centres-Cyril Reece, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Apisalome Vota; Fullback-Enele Malele, Osea Waqa; Utility-Serupepeli Vularika. Edited by Grace Narayan