VIDEO: Whitelock highlights the importance of the Barbarians
In 2022, Ireland beat the All Blacks for the first time on New Zealand soil in the second of three Tests.
Whilst Whitelock didn’t feature in that clash, there was a controversial moment between Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony and New Zealand’s Sam Cane.
During the match, O’Mahony shouted to Cane: ‘Who do you think you are? You’re a poor man’s Richie McCaw, pal‘.
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As fate would have it, O’Mahony and Cane find themselves as teammates preparing to face the World Champion Springboks in Cape Town on Saturday.
When asked by @rugby365com how the two players have gotten along, BaaBaas forwards coach Sam Whitelock had a lighthearted response, but also spoke of the importance of the role the BaaBaas play in bringing players of different nationalities together.
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“They’ve been alright, they haven’t had any disagreements or anything. That’s the cool thing,” Whitelock quipped.
“From my experience last year [playing for the BaaBaas against Fiji], I sat with Scotty [Scott] Sio and had a quiet refreshment.
“We probably played 30 games against each other. He’s gotten on top of me once or twice.
“But we were having a beer, and we had a moment.
“That sums it up, playing for the Barbarians. We thought, ‘Why didn’t we have a beer 30 games ago?’.
“Sometimes you get that opportunity with the way the game has gone [in terms of] professionalism, recovery, etc.
“That’s the best thing about the BaaBaas, it brings everyone together.
“Personally, the BaaBaas have an important place in the game.
“I’d hate for it not to take a priority because I feel it’s one of the important things that brings people together.”
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