The highly-anticipated Barbarians versus Samoa match at Twickenham was cancelled shortly before kick-off after several members of the Barbarians tested positive for COVID-19.
The Rugby Football Union released a statement saying, “Due to six confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Barbarian’s men’s team (four players and two members of staff), the Professional Game Testing Oversight Group has advised that the fixture scheduled to be played against Samoa at 2:30 pm today is unable to proceed.”
“We appreciate that this is an extremely disappointing situation for the many fans due to attend, but the safety of all members of both teams is our priority.”
The cancellation was described as ‘unforgivable’ by former Wales international turned presenter Jonathan Davies, who slammed the Barbarians for being unable to fulfil the fixture after Samoa’s arduous effort to set it up.
Samoa were forced to head to the UK for the match without coaches and players from the southern hemisphere, due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. However, their desire to play their only scheduled match of the autumn was evident in both their thorough promotion of the match in the build-up, and the team taking to the field following the cancellation to sing their national anthem and perform the Siva Tau.
“It is an utter shambles,” Davies told The Telegraph.
“Samoa promoted the game and pulled all the stops to get here without their full strength squad; ironically, due to COVID restrictions some could not travel. And now this!
“They get all this way here and it is called off so soon to kick-off. It’s not good enough.”
It’s the second year in a row the Barbarians have been forced to cancel a match; the team were condemned for breaking COVID protocols and leaving the team base ahead of a 2020 match against England.
The Barbarian FC Twitter account tried to provide some clarity on the situation, claiming that they still had a fit 23 ready to compete and that the entire squad had complied with COVID protocols throughout the week.
Ultimately, it was concluded that there was still too much risk if the match went ahead. Unfortunately, Samoa’s Joe Tekori and the Barbarians’ Rob Kearney (a former Ireland full back) were both deprived of the chance to appear in their final matches.
Tekori’s reaction to the cancellation added a further gut-punch to events. The veteran lock had to hold back tears in an interview with the BBC, apologising to Samoan fans for the match being called off.
“We were just walking inside the stadium. We already put our [kits on]. We were ready for the game and our coaches and our management came into the changing room and said, ‘Sorry boys, the game’s got cancelled’,” Tekori said.
“I know it’s my last game for my country and it is sad for me.
“I don’t want to end like this, but more importantly, I want all those young Samoans to know there’s a lot of potential in this Samoan team and to carry on. Manu Samoa means [a lot] to all of our country and to all Samoans around the world. But for me, this is my last one.
“I’ll finish like this, this is okay for me.”
In its place, the Barbarians women versus Springboks match was moved up and played in front of a record crowd of 29,581. Led by Katy Daley-McLean, also playing in her final match, the Barbarians dominated, rolling over the Springboks 60-5.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Looking forward to it Rhys.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
HNY SMI! Thanks for this read, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. In a world divided and politicised on too many topics, there’s so much diverse and constructive work being done in scientific fields – from ecology to geology, earth and climate science, space and astronomy, nanotechnology, chemistry… the list goes on and on. I definitely forget sometimes to focus on the positives, considering how much change and upheaval we’re seeing in the news and our own lives. That was a refreshing take and a great insight into what, I believe anyway, science is all about. Gives some motivation to finish my current writing. I’ll hopefully have a published paper (currently going through revisions and peer review) out soon and will attach it when finished if that may interest you. Hope you had a good Christmas too, cheers mate
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Hi Rhys, just read this and thought you might be interested https://quillette.com/2022/01/08/want-to-restore-your-faith-in-humanity-visit-a-scientific-conference/
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Cheers SMI, to you and your family have a safe and happy Christmas and hopefully the new year brings us some good results for Aus rugby too!
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Great post Rhys, agree with everything you say. As a reader and admirer of science and scientists since my early years, I am sure there are many scientists who are likewise dismayed with the undermining of the greatest group of people who, almost single-handedly, built the world we are lucky to inhabit today. Merry Christmas to you and your family. SMI
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Hi SMI, not been on much now footy season is over so didn’t see this to now, thank you for both the offer and this. I agree with the article, I am aghast at the politicisation taking place in society. Unfortunately we’re seeing more and more people branding themselves as ‘scientists’ (but with underlying political agendas) damaging the discipline by broadcasting themselves as teaching ‘science’ when it is in fact conflated with misinformation or, even worse, cherry picked to align with an agenda. We’ve seen this increasingly during the pandemic as an example. This damages the notion that research is independent. Peer reviewed research certainly is independent, but more needs to be done to ensure misinformation is dealt with to continue to cultivate trust with the public.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Hi Rhys, not wishing to extend our exchanges but I read this article today and as it is aimed specifically at STEM, I thought you might like to read it. https://quillette.com/2021/12/18/scientists-must-gain-the-courage-to-oppose-the-politicization-of-their-disciplines/
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Thanks Rhys if you are ever in the southern highlands NSW reply to a post and we can catch up.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
No worries SMI, I’ll have a look for that book, is nice to get an insight from all angles. Agreed, there’s a lot of huff and puff from both ends of the spectrum that makes coherent discussion on this topic tough but enjoyed this little tangent with another respectful and knowledgeable commentator. Always up for a chat :happy:
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Rhys, would love to debate this with you, at least are reasonable which I have found most on your side of this contentious issue are not. Consensus is not science. Einstein stated in reply to the '100 scientists against Relativity' 'why 100, one would do?'. I remember global cooling in the 70's when some scientists were proposing to use more fossil fuels1 Saw a video of one of those scientists from the 70's recently looking at climate change effects in Greenland talking about the impacts of a warming world. The temp from the late 30's was as high as it is today. The sea level has not accelerated despite models predicting it. Have a read of Unsettled by Steve Koonin he sums up my concerns very neatly. Agree back to rugby. Nice talking with you on this important subject.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Ecology is tightly linked to climate science, as climatic variables dictate many aspects of ecosystems (on both short and long term scales). Even though I don’t directly look at the climate, a lot of it is involved due to the overlap between the fields. I’d contend the science and peer review is robust, as the broader weight of scientific literature (especially over the past 30 years) has resulted in the international scientific community (from many relevant disciplines) being vastly in consensus on the topic. Adding to this are the major agencies leading the way for research (e.g. NASA) that provide some really informative insights thanks to the technology they have available to them. Statistical modelling is complex for sure and takes a lot of understanding, especially considering the pace of advancement in computation that modellers have available to them now. Then there is the nature of what they are modelling (though I am not sure of the specific paper you mentioned and the model they used so I can’t comment on that). Global models have many variables to account for so there are, naturally, inconsistencies in the exact outputs depending on how certain variables are controlled for etc. However, it is the directions of the trends found that are often most useful. As a result, allowing us to deduce how different areas will respond. For example, there aren’t lies about extinction risks for species. A great recent publication on the state of Australia’s birds (I’ll attach a link below and if it is not free can try dig something up) highlighted that the observed trends for climatically sensitives species (e.g. Golden Bowerbird in FNQ) over the past 10 years aligned strongly with the predictions from modelling that was done a decade ago. Of course models are attempts at forecasting the future but, putting them aside, these observed trends indicate a warmer global climate, even over a decade, will have consequences like exacerbated threats to species. Other observed trends include increased intensity of weather events over the past 40 years (e.g. second link) etc. The science can be really hard to wade through due to its complexity (I struggle at times) and obviously we can’t be sure of the exact effects we will see in the future right now even if we use models as a guide. However, we can deduce from the available evidence in observational studies alone it arguably isn’t going to get drastically better as temperatures rise. Ultimately, the projections and scientific consensus reflect that. https://ebooks.publish.csiro.au/content/action-plan-australian-birds-2020 https://science2017.globalchange.gov/chapter/executive-summary/ Anyway, apologies for the tangent, I’ll get back to the rugby now :happy:
nics
Roar Rookie
(1) tyranny of distance. Last I checked WA is larger than NSW and WA has many remote communities far away from tertiary health services. (2) high level of comorbidities (diabetes, kidney disease) will mean some communities are more affected by COVID regardless of vaccination rate. (3) yes we will go into lockdown when we open up but the delay has given us time to prep the health system. (4) you obviously care about WA given you've been taking pot-shots at it.
nics
Roar Rookie
Again misrepresenting the WA premier. When has he said we would lock down forever? He's said we will open up once 90% is reached. But go ahead and read what you want to read.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Busted, I am over 70, I tried to catch covid to get it over and done with early on in the pandemic. Take little interest in it and have no idea about ‘staying safe’. I just want to go diving in Bali and the sooner the better, 2 years out of the water and I am almost dried out. Too bloody cold in Australia, anyway dived that to death.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
NSW has at least moved to open the state up. You can stay locked up forever and bow down to your premier.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Nics so what is your vax rate and why do you need to look after aboriginals if they are vax'd? You're living in a bubble that is going to burst when you open up - unless you just stay locked up forever, couldn't care less either way.
piru
Roar Rookie
piru, your state your issue but I guess most in NSW are happy with how we have handled it. Well, that's good news - I guess my question is why you're all suddenly so worried about what WA does? The cynic in me notices the leaders of the "WA bad" movement all seem to be Liberal politicians, but I'm sure that's just a coincidence. What will happen when you open up and why wasn’t the Aboriginal pop first vaxxed? I can't say with any authority as I just don't know. I would guess the incredible remoteness of some of these communities wouldn't help.
nics
Roar Rookie
When we open up we will have an outbreak but the lockdown has bought time for health infrastructure to be brought into place. As mentioned previously, the effective difference in timing between WA and NSW opening up is a matter of 2-3 months. The premier at least has been consistent in the messaging re vaccination rates and has brought in a strict vaccine mandate covering most of the workforce. I'm not bothered by that 2-3 month delay if it reduces casualties. If you would rather open up earlier and have some extra deaths, good for you. I wasn't aware you wanted to visit Perth that much.
nics
Roar Rookie
The other thing to consider is that WA is a larger state land-wise and health services have to cover a larger area with smaller communities. This makes it difficult from an economies of scale and logistics perspective
nics
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately the Roar doesn't allow memes or Alan Jones soundbites so he might have trouble.