” END OF AN ERA “: The Barbarians defeat Fiji, and legendary All Black Sam Whitelock makes a grand exit.
The Barbarians defeat Fiji, and legendary All Black Sam Whitelock makes a grand exit.
In a thrilling match at Twickenham, former All Blacks captain Sam Whitelock led the Barbarians to a thrilling 45-32 victory over Fiji. The 35-year-old forward, who won two World Cups with New Zealand, was met with thunderous applause from all sections of the stadium as he left the field late in the game.
Whitelock and Australia international David Ribbans put on a confident display at lock against a free-flowing Fijian team under the direction of Australian coach Mick Byrne. The impressive Fijians, who were led by a hat-trick from Super Rugby Pacific player Epeli Momo, were defeated in a thrilling match.
Lachlan Boshier (two), Zach Mercer, Chay Fihaki, and New Zealand international Leicester Fainga’anuku were among the Barbarians’ other tries scorers, including former England winger Jonny May. The son of former Wallabies prop Scott Sio and current Japan international Greg Cornelsen, who was born on the Gold Coast, was also selected for the Barbarians.
Kemueli Valentini’s ten points and seven more from first five-eighths Caleb Muntz added to Momo’s three tries as the star-studded Baabaas, under by former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, were pushed hard by Fiji.
