NZ Barbarians Cup/Shield Top 4 schools tournament
Rotorua Boys’ High School – September 5-7
With the completion of the qualifying games last weekend, the finalists to take part in the NZ Schools Rugby Council Top 4 schools tournament for the Barbarians Cup and the co-ed schools championship for the Barbarians Shield, are as follows:
Friday September 5
Boys – NZ Barbarians Cup (National First XV championship) semifinals:
Auckland Grammar School v Scots College (Wellington) – 1.10pm (televised)
Hamilton Boys’ High School v Christchurch Boys’ High School – 2.55pm Friday (televised)
Co-ed schools – NZ Barbarians Shield (co-ed schools First XV championship) semifinals:
Otahuhu College v Feilding High School – 10.30am
Cambridge High School v St. Kevin’s College (Oamaru) – 12.00pm
Sunday September 7
Co-ed schools First XV championship
Playoff for third-fourth – 11.30am
Final – 1.10pm (televised)
National First XV championship
Final – 2.55pm (televised)
All members are welcome to join us at Rotorua Boys’ High School on Friday September 5 and Sunday September 7.
Tom Johnson’s book launch – Legends in Black
The launch of Tom Johnson’s book in the Barbarians clubrooms was a first for the club and was a very enjoyable night for all who attended.
Tom was accompanied by his three sons and a number of All Blacks attended the evening, together with 30-40 members and guests.
Dean Paddy carried out his ‘mine host’ duties in the excellent way he always does and Bryan Williams was a fine master of ceremonies.
Tom’s book is an excellent read, providing a great insight into the history of our game, how important it is to us all and how New Zealand teams, particularly the All Blacks, have developed an outstanding record of success and achievement.
It was great to see the clubrooms used in a new and different way. Thanks Tom.
Middleweight tournament
While there is no formal Barbarians’ middleweight tournament this year, North Harbour, Auckland, Waikato and Thames Valley will play for the Barbarians Under 85kg Cup.
Games have been arranged during September with a number of fixture dates yet to be confirmed.
For more information, contact Deano Allnutt at promo@montys.co.nz or phone 0274-888- 351
NZ Barbarians Area Schools
The NZ Barbarians Area Schools team came together from the many far-flung and isolated areas of New Zealand during the week of August 24-28.
They spent an intensive few days meeting and getting to know their fellow team members in preparation for their game against the NZ Harlequins, which was a team selected from boys, of a similar age, out of the Chiefs franchise area. The intensive preparation, carried out by coach Bob Telfer, assisted by Justin Marsh and Chase Herbert, was the first such intensive build-up to a game experienced by a number of the boys in the team.
Bryan Williams presented each player with their Barbarians jersey prior to the game and spoke to the team about the Barbarians club, its history, our values, the way we play the game and the importance of never giving up.
Although the game resulted in a heavy 68-0 Barbarians loss, it was very pleasing to see that the boys didn’t give up. They tried to the end against what was a very good Harlequins team with a number of players who looked to have very bright futures in the game.
We are very pleased to advise that each Area Schools player was grateful for the opportunity and the experience and, while they lost this encounter, they gained much from their selection to play on a big stage and on a big occasion.
We are very grateful to Mike Smith, Marie Relph and Bob Telfer, particularly, for the tremendous time and effort they have given to the Area Schools programme. Without them, the Area Schools players would have little or no opportunity to play the game or have any of the opportunities most New Zealand children have, to play rugby every week in their own weight and age team.
