Barbarians need rethink to keep brand alive

Dec 12 2007 by Geoff Lightfoot, Liverpool Daily Post

THERE were two great games during the last 10 days – the Barbarians v South Africa and Cambridge v Oxford both at Twickenham and both throw backs to the amateur era.

Yet following a weekend of superlative European Cup rugby, a creation of the professional era, questions are being asked as to whether these events have any place in the modern game.

The quick answer is that a total of 98,000 spectators seemed to think so but as Brian Moore referenced to the ‘BaaBaa’s match 58,000 might well be wrong!’

The Varsity game is not really under threat as the players are able to turn out without the shackles of club contracts inhibiting their participation.

As for the Barbarians, logic (and Brian Moore), would suggest that they are an anachronism and should be confined to history.

Yet they do have a proud tradition which is worth preserving. True there were no Premiership or French players in the line up against South Africa as, quite rightly, having lost their players to the World Cup they were needed by their clubs but even so what a line up of world class stars and what an occasion to bid farewell to one of rugby’s greats in either code Jason Robinson.

Although focus has been on the stars or the absence of, the Barbarians have not just been about selecting a side of well known star quality but a club where recognition is given to players who have given much to the game but perhaps not quite at international level.

Players from Waterloo, LSH, Orrell and others have been proud to call themselves ‘Barbarians’ – just ask Sammy Southern of Orrell!

So where do they go from here? If they are to survive then there is need for new thinking.

One suggestion is they should take part in the Churchill Cup alongside England Saxons, another is that they should select a side from the British Isles to play a warm up game against any of the home nations about to go on a summer tour. There should be sufficient top class players available for that and what a good test that would be for any touring party. Why not play away from the traditional union heartlands and spread the gospel?

They are just three ideas, there are many others but the Barbarians Club perhaps need to engage in some creative thinking as to where they fit into the 21st century game.

In a rugby environment where results are everything they can survive but the game needs them and their brand do much more than that. Over to you Mr Steele-Bodger!