Chay Fihaki and Fergus Burke will front for the Barbarians when the heralded invitational team play Fiji at Twickenham in a week’s time.
The Barbarians have a proud and storied rugby history. For more than 130 years they’ve fielded teams dedicated to playing attacking, adventurous rugby without the pressure of winning.
They play Fiji on 24 June in front of a potential 82,000, the game part of a double header with the Springboks also taking Wales.
Chay Fihaki said playing Fiji at Twickenham would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“I’m just really grateful to be invited to play,” Fihaki said.
“Growing up I remember watching them play some pretty exciting rugby, so it’s always been something I wanted to be part of and I can’t wait to meet the team.”
Fergus Burke said pulling on the black and white jersey was “a bucket list moment for me as a rugby player”.
“They have such a rich history and playing for them is something I’m extremely excited for and honoured to do,” Burke said.
“The opportunity also for me to taste a bit of London excites me, as I’ve never been to that part of the world.”
Burke has signed a long-term deal to join London-based club Saracens after the end of the 2024 Bunnings Warehouse NPC season.
Robbie Deans coaches the Barbarians FC for this one, the sixth time the former Crusaders coach will take the reins. His last pep talk for the team was back in 2019 when they lost 43-33 to Wales.
That Cardiff game was current Crusaders fullback Johnny McNicholl’s first start and try for Wales, while Leigh Halfpenny kicked 13 points.
