Barbarians v Samoa - Teams and Prediction
TWICKENHAM SHOWDOWN: The Barbarians and Samoa have finalised their matchday squads for their clash at Twickenham on Saturday.
The Barbarians’ starting XV is dominated by Australians with South Africa and Japan the next-best represented countries.
In the front row, Springboks Steven Kitshoff and Malcolm Marx are joined in the front row by Japan’s Shinnosuke Kakinaga.
Rob Leota and Naohiro Kotaki will form a second-row combination.
Scotland’s Ryan Wilson will captain the side and he will form a loose trio combination with Australia’s Pete Samu and South Africa’s Duane Vermeulen.
What a privilege boys ⬛️⬜️ @Barbarian_FC @M_marxi2 pic.twitter.com/FWrTxzDShE
— Steven Kitshoff (@StevenKitshoff) November 25, 2021
It’s a Wallaby halfback pairing with Nic White in the No.9 jersey and James O’Connor at flyhalf.
There are Wallabies out wide with Filipo Daugunu at No.11 wing and Tom Wright at fullback. Len Ikitau will wear the No.13 jersey.
Argentina’s Marcos Moneta will be on the other wing, while Japan’s Ryoto Nakamura will be in the No.12 jersey.
Barbarians head coach Dave Rennie said: “We’ve got a great group of players here and I’m looking forward to getting stuck into the week, learning about them all and getting input from everyone as to how we want to play next Saturday.
“Every one of these guys are honoured to become Barbarians and there’s already a real sense of excitement and anticipation.
“We have brought a diverse range of countries and cultures together and it’s going to make for an exceptional week.”
Meanwhile, Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua has also revealed his matchday squad for the match.
The squad consists of players based in the Northern Hemisphere.
Their match against the Barbarians is the only fixture to be played from their cancelled end-of-year tour of Europe due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Caption this – Go! 😂#Baabaas #rugby #KillikCup pic.twitter.com/0ctghhQxsu
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 24, 2021
Players to watch:
For Barbarians: The BaaBaas have plenty of muscle in their pack. No.8 Duane Vermeulen is a powerhouse, and his Bok teammates Steven Kitshoff and Malcolm Marx will make their presence felt in the scrums, at the breakdowns and with ball in hand. James O’Connor brings plenty of experience in the flyhalf position and his halfback partner Nic White knows all the tricks of the trade.
For Samoa: Fullback Jamie-Jerry Taulagi has plenty of speed and power to trouble the Barbarians and the same can be said about wing Sinoti Sinoti. In the pack, Joe Tekori will be a massive presence and Samoa will be banking on his physicality to come through against some of the Barbarians’ brutes. On the bench, prop Michael Alaalatoa is another player who brings plenty of experience. He currently plays for Leinster and he previously played for the Crusaders in New Zealand.
Prediction:
@rugby365com: Barbarians by 20 points.
Barbarians: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Marcos Moneta, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Ryoto Nakamura, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Nic White, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pete Samu, 6 Ryan Wilson (captain), 5 Naohiro Kotaki, 4 Rob Leota, 3 Shinnosuke Kakinaga, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Kosuke Horikoshi, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Gia Kharaishvili, 19 Rodrigo Fernandez Criado, 20 Olly Robinson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Izaia Perese, 23 Rob Kearney.
Samoa: Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, 14 Elijah Niko, 13 Opetera Peleseuma, 12 Parataiso Silafai-Leaana, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10 AJ Alatimu, 9 Nigel Hunt, 8 Abraham Papalii, 7 Talalelei Gray. 6 Mikaele Tapili, Joe Tekori, 4 ben Nee-Nee, 3 Paul Alo-Emile (captain). 2 John Ulugia, 1 Aki Seiuli.
Replacements: 16 Albert Onele’i, 17 Sakaria Taulafo, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Salo Tutaia, 20 Senio Toleafoa, 21 Reece Anapu, 22 Aviata Silago, 23 Alexander Luatua.
Date: Saturday, November 27
Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
Kick-off: 14.30 (14.30 GMT; 03.30 WST Sunday, November 28)
Expected weather: There will be light rain and it will be windy with a high of 5°C and a low of 1°C.
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Mathieu Raynal (France), Pierre Brousset (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
