Rugby’s small miracles

Mike Jansen Hong Kong 12 June 2012

As passionate rugby fans, we are often consumed in the battles between our chosen team and the opposition. We imagine the clashes between key players on our side and the other and yes, we sometime grin wickedly when our guy overcomes his opposite number at a play, the grin turning into a broad smile of delight when, in the process, he inflicts some pain on said opposite number.

That is rugby we say. It is part of the game.

Teams like England and Wales have on numerous occasions stared down the challenge presented by teams from the Pacific Islands. They have come face to face with New Zealand Haka, Samoa’s Siva Tau, Fiji’s Cibi and Tonga’s Sipi Tau.

So imagine my delight on Saturday when I witnessed English Premiership side Saracens confronted by a motly crew of mostly Pacific Islanders with an Englishman and a pair of Welshmen thrown in… with two of the European players leading parts the APBs Haka.

Formed in 2010, the APBs (formerly the Asia Pacific Barbarians) are designed to showcase the vast array of rugby talent in Asia Pacific, with the occasional invited player from outside the region. The invited players on this occasion being Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues and Wales), Nick Easter (Harlequins and England) as well as Shane Williams (Ospreys and Wales).

I am Barbarian! England’s Nick Easter living his part of the APBs war-cry (Pic: Mike Jansen)

The APBs has a war-cry that consists of elements of New Zealand’s Haka, Samoa’s Siva Tau, Fiji’s Cibi and Tonga’s Sipi Tau.

The best part on Saturday? Nick Easter leading the Tonga Sipi Tau and Shane Williams doing the same for Samoa’s Siva Tau.

Who says rugby doesn’t have its share of small miracles?

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