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Barbarians make donation to Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation eight weeks after cancellation of England game in his honour

18 Dec 2020

(Photo by East Grinstead Rugby)

Eight weeks after the Barbarians match with England was dramatically called off for Covid bubble beaches, the club’s charitable trust have given a £10,000 grant to the Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation supporting coaching initiatives both in the UK and in New Zealand.

PC Ratana was tragically killed last September in London and the October 25 Barbarians versus England match was due to honour his memory, However, breaches that resulted in sanctions for 13 Barbarians players saw the game called off 48 hours before it was due to take place at Twickenham.

To help make amends, the Barbarians have now shown their support for the Ratana foundation. “Matt represented so many of the core values of rugby that are integral to the rugby family around the world and resonate so strongly with our own Barbarians family,” said Barbarians president John Spencer.

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“He was a true inspiration to so many and remains an inspiration as his legacy takes shape. We are looking forward to developing our support of the foundation in the longer term, working to help provide life-changing opportunities through rugby, making a long-lasting difference and promoting the values of the Rugby community, its diversity, multiculturalism, enjoyment and respect.”

Ratana’s partner Su Bushby welcomed the contribution, saying: “I’d like to express my great thanks to the Barbarians Rugby charitable trust for this grant. We had looked forward to the Barbarians being able to honour Matt’s memory in the match against England back in October.

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– @AndyGoode10 on this week's Danny Cipriani quits Gloucester drama #PremRugby
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— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 18, 2020

“I’m very touched the trust is contributing to his legacy. The grant from the Barbarians will go a long way to helping realise initiatives inspired by Matt and it is a great honour to have such significant support from a well-loved global rugby club.”

The foundation, which launched last month, aims to provide life-changing opportunities to younger people in need and to support communities through the medium of rugby around the world, including exchanges with clubs in New Zealand.

Foundation lead Sean Morgan said: “Delivering schemes like this is so important to ensuring we help remember Matt, but more importantly we hope that we will create programmes that exemplify the ethos of Matt and the values of the Barbarians, both of which are so well aligned and keep them going for years to come.”

The Barbarians website has more details on the work of the foundation or you can learn more at https://mattratanarugby.foundation

"I used to judge how well I had played based on how fuzzy-headed I felt at the end of a game" ?https://t.co/pTnU7N7HYR
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 18, 2020

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 12 days ago

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Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

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James 12 days ago

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And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

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dw 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

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dw 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

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dw 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

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RedWarriors 12 days ago

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I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

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JM 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

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RedWarriors 12 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

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OJohn 12 days ago

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Carlos 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

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Carlos 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

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Solenn Bonnet 12 days ago

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Mzilikazi 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

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Mzilikazi 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

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Mzilikazi 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

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BC 12 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

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Otagoman II 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

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NB 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍