The Barbarians are one of the greatest traditions in world rugby. From the inclusion of international uncapped players, the nod to player's old clubs with their socks, and the camaraderie and amateur ethos of getting together to their innovative woshkabomy style.
An entertaining team needs an entertaining social media presence, and the Barbarians twitter account is one of the greatest rugby twitter accounts out there.
The fun begins with announcement of players:
A Scottish giant of the engine room, the Loch Ness monster of the land, @GlasgowWarriors Alastair Kellock #baabaas #rugby #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) October 21, 2014
And is followed up well all tour. These are from the Australian game on Saturday:
#baabaas bubbling away like a post-hangover Berocca tablet. Nearly a try then Wallabies batter down left flank. Power #rugby #rugbyunited — Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 1, 2014
#baabaas held up over line. Penalty. Reverse chip on tap & go befuddled Wallabies. Agonising knock on. Ole ole ole #rugby #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 1, 2014
Wallaby defence intense. Flying into #baabaas like West End bouncers handling a rowdy stag party. No prisoners #baabaas #rugby #rugbyunited — Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 1, 2014
Try given. Crowd not impressed. Cheerleaders are on. Crowd are now impressed.. 5-7 26mins #rugby #rugbyunited #baabaas
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 1, 2014
Try given. Crowd not impressed. Cheerleaders are on. Crowd are now impressed.. 5-7 26mins #rugby #rugbyunited #baabaas — Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 1, 2014
Slade lines up a pen from halfway. Nails it. Greeted like the bloke who goes out to buy more alcohol at a party. Hero. #rugby #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 1, 2014
Jurassic Park moment as everyone's pints mysteriously shake. Then the PA: "Substitution: Will Skelton on" #rugby #rugbyunited — Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 1, 2014
Another mantlepiece moment - Mexican wave catching the big fella with a pint unawares. Splash. #baabaas#rugby#rugbyunion
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 1, 2014
The fun doesn't stop while the game isn't on:
Calm before storm in hotel. Trying to remember all those NFL plays #baabaas #rugby #rugbyunited pic.twitter.com/uJ2bfaeGpZ — Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 4, 2014
Last night, this year's crop of BaaBaas ended their "tour", with an untelevised game against Leicester Tigers. Just because it wasn't on tv, doesn't mean it couldn't have been enjoyed:
#baabaas innovate at line out again. Launching diminutive 9 Tanaka skyward. As you do.. #rugby #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 4, 2014
Scrum time. Somewhere Graham Rowntree is out of his seat punching the air & cheering #baabaas #rugby #rugbyunited — Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 4, 2014
Powerhouse defence by #baabaas in Tigers 22. Think barricade scene in Les Miserables. #rugby #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 4, 2014
Badger goes burrowing after sloppy line out ball. Halai paws a Burns' chip out of sky like a bear snaffling a salmon #baabaas #rugbyunited — Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 4, 2014
As with that time I bought a pint in London with a tenner, there's no change. Still 21-19 #Baabaas #Rugby #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 4, 2014
The drama. Giant #baabaas huddle from pen tap. Everyone pretends to run with ball. Worthy of a West End stage. #rugby #rugbyunited — Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 4, 2014
Try! Mike Rhodes gets in on the action. I was still salivating over pen move so can't describe it in full! Trickery #rugbyunited #rugby
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 4, 2014
Boshoff gets bored of scoring points. Let's Saili have a nurdle. He bends it in defying all logic. 47-19 #rugby #rugbyunited #baabaas — Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 4, 2014
Choo! Choo! It's the 21:07 express train from Auckland aka Luatua. Dig a ditch with leaves. Only way to stop this man #rugbyunited #Rugby
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 4, 2014
Fulltime 59-12. Wonderful way for Botes to end. Awesome gesture from squad. Thanks for all your support #baabaas#rugby#rugbyunited — Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 4, 2014
Barbarians beat Leicester 59-26 in what seemed like a great game. It marked the end of the career for Springbok Jacques Botes, a no.8, who in his last 3 minutes of rugby ever, missed a conversion, scored a try and then converted his own conversion. Not a patch on any of these lads mind.
