Bring back the Baa Baas
Easter Saturday
By cardiffsteve
November 11 2014
Here's something worth a look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyCYo5Ot514
The Leicester versus Barbarians match from last week. By all accounts a lovely occasion.
Any rugby fan over 30ish will have seen a lot of change over the years.
Since 1995, rugby has thrown an awful amount of tradition onto the fire. And that's no bad thing. Resist change and you can find yourself killing the thing you love. All the same, those traditions that have proven durable enough to last until 2014 should be cherished. The Barbarians might be the best example.
Recent matches have shown that Baa Baa fixtures with touring sides are more than just a cynical money spinner. And they continue to play lower key, one off matches throughout the season. Tonight they play Combined Services at Bath - our own Gareth Davies is playing at 10 for them.
Here's a thought. Back in the day, we had an annual fixture with the Baa Baas. At Easter. It was generally the biggest game of the season. The annual Welsh tour fixtures were a key part of Barbarian rugby folklore. That all went with the advent of league rugby of course.
Maybe that fixture can have a place again?
Easter is a non starter. Its a crucial time of the season. But the Barbarians are active every November. Why not offer them an annual warm up fixture at the Arms Park?
Cutting up the pitch is not an issue here. And this is generally a quiet period of the season for us. We can fit in an extra game. It'll be interesting to see just how much of the 12,500 capacity of CAP can be filled with people wanting to see some good players playing to entertain without fear of losing.
The whole event could be charged with the history of the two clubs, giving it a little gravitas - but with the focus being on entertaining the crowd.
Make it an annual charity event. The Barbarians get a little loosener before the more serious business against test teams. We gain a one off fixture that might get some new supporters into the ground. A charity gets a nice cheque.
Lets call it "The Gareth Edwards Challenge" - after the scorer of the most famous Barbarian try of all.
I wouldn't want to go back to the 90's. All things considered, I think rugby's better than ever. But wouldn't it be nice to see those black and white hoops throwing the ball around at CAP again?
You should never be a slave to history. It should never be more important than the present.
But damn it, if you've got it, flaunt it.
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What are other's thoughts on this?
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
One other thought...
If we could end the season with a staystrongforows fundraiser against the barbarians or a similar side.... I'm sure there'd be a good turnout.