FIJI'S stars of the future matched and surpassed the Barbarians at their own game in a thoroughly satisfying and full-on contest but it could be a bittersweet moment for coach John McKee.
This was an uncapped game and the danger now is that three or four stunning new talents will be poached by the normal Tier One suspects.
For much of the game the aggressive Fijian tackling was every bit as good as their handling, although a late revival by the Barbarians ensured the grandstand finish which spectators at these games love. The contest ended with five tries apiece but was never just exhibition rugby. There was a real bite to proceedings With none of their European- based players available for this game, which is outside the Test window, Fiji named five uncapped players as starters and another six on the bench. Despite that, they were the team with more continuity.
Within their squad were 15 players who represent Fijian Drua – a combined Fijian clubs XV –who have been playing in the Australian National Championship for three years now. Indeed, they won it last year and reached the semi-final this season when they lost 28-27 to Canberra Vikings in the semi-final.
After a mediocre World Cup for Fiji, this was the next generation's big shop window and they grabbed it with both hands. Big professional offers will come in, especially from Australia, who are particularly adept at cherry picking the best Fijian talent.
Flanker John Dyer – as industrious as he is skilful –would head any shopping list after his man-of-thematch display which included two tries, the second of which involved two outrageous offloads.
Fellow flanker Mosese Voka wasn't far behind while Fiji have also unearthed two very solid front five players in hooker Ratu Vugakoto and uncapped lock Temo Mayanavanua.
Behind the scrum centre Serupepili Vularika was consummate – he like Dyer has been officially capped – but Enele Malele at full back and wing Jiuta Wainiqolo still await that honour and will have caught the attention of the watching agents. Malele, like Mayanavanua, crossed for a try.
The pick of all the uncapped players was flyhalf Teti Tela in a position where Fiji badly need a playmaker who can also control a game to develop.
Tela, who scored a try and kicked four conversions, looks like that man but has already signed a Super Rugby contract with the Queensland Reds. Fiji need to organise one-off appearance for their sevens side – their capture team – as soon as possible.
Elsewhere on a feel-good afternoon, the focus was mainly on World Cup winning South Africans playing for the Barbarians.
Tendai Mtawarira put in a big shift before departing to shouts of ‘Beeeast' while Makazole Mapimpi nipped in for two tries.
A Springbok of another vintage – Morne Steyn – crossed for the best Barbarians' try of an entertaining day with the others coming from their formidable midfield of Mathieu Bastareaud and Andre Esterhuizen.
