Welsh rugby legend Jonathan 'Jiffy' Davies has launched a scathing attack on the Barbarians after their match against Samoa at Twickenham was cancelled just 90 minutes before kick-off due to six positive Covid-19 tests in the invitational squad.
Davies described the situation as an 'utter shambles' and 'unforgivable', particularly given the challenges Samoa had faced to field a side. Samoa's players and staff based in the southern hemisphere could not travel due to Covid restrictions, offering opportunities to players in the northern hemisphere who might not have had them under normal circumstances.
The cancellation also denied Samoa's Joe Tekori and Ireland star Rob Kearney, who was in the Barbarians side, a final send-off as both prepare to retire. Samoa had already arrived at the ground and were getting changed when news of the cancellation filtered through.
This is not the first time a Barbarians match has been cancelled recently. In December last year, their game against England was called off after 13 players breached Covid protocols by leaving the team hotel and going out in London. Those players were banned for a combined 85 weeks and fined a total of 18.5 weeks' salary.
Former England captain Dylan Hartley said it was 'beyond embarrassing' that the Barbarians couldn't fulfil the fixture after the challenges Samoa had overcome. In a statement, the Barbarians said they had a fit 23 who all tested negative on the morning of the match and were 'absolutely devastated' they could not play.
Despite the cancellation, Samoa's players and staff took to the field at Twickenham in full kit to sing an emotional anthem and perform their war dance, the Siva Tau, with some players in tears.
