HARD run ning No8 Andre Van Staden (Toowoomba) has been named the Player of the 2016 Dyno Nobel Queensland Outback Barbarians tour of Canada and the US.
Van Staden, who was one of the most consistent players on tour, was notable for big runs in attack and equally for his defensive efforts whenever the opposition attempted to exert pressure.
“It was a bit of a difference experience placing against these Canadian and US teams,” Van Staden said. “There was some room to move and we were able to put on the points, there was still some hard rugby played.”
Second rower Paul Tema (Gladstone) was named the Barbas' best forward. Tema, who also participated in the 2014 tour, was another of the Barba’s game breakers. He proved virtually unstoppable in a number of the games and was instrumental in offloads that resulted in the outside backs scoring.
Fullback Ayden Pyper (Townsville) was named the best back. Pyper put on plenty of decisive, long range runs from the back which often left opposition defenders clutching at air.
Dynamic half Rudi Wentzel (Gladstone) picked up the leading try scorer trophy for his eight five pointers. It was no accident that Wentzel ran off Van Staden at the back of the scrum for a number of his five pointers.
Winger and baby of the tour Jamie Deshon (St George) was named the tour's most improved player. Deshon’s elusive running and strong defence proved a handful particularly in the Red Deer match.
Flanker Izak Holmes (Moura) was also recognised for his efforts, named the players’ player. Holmes was praised by his team mates for his uncompromising willingness to take the game to the opposition in both attack and defencs.
Outback Barbarians tour captain Tom Beattie (Sunshine Coast) said the North American game appeared to still be developing. “We’ve had a lot of fun and certainly enjoyed plenty of free running rugby,” Beattie said. “I think the main difference is the skills that develop playing the game from childhood.
“A lot of the North American players appear to have come to the game quite late and just haven’t developed the skills that could match the teams the Outback Barbarians were able to field.
"That said, the tour really shows how important structure is and why game plans matter.
"We played against plenty of big teams that can put up some ferocious defence. Big, one off hits seem to be a characteristic of the game over here. But it seems to have come at the expense of the real focus of scoring tries.”
Following the success of the 2016 tour, the Queensland Outback Barbarians have been invited as the marquee team of the 2018 New Orleans Jazz Festival Rugby Tournament.
Outback Barbarians manager Geoff Barton said the 2018 tour would be an opportunity for country rugby players to celebrate the sport against a range of US teams.
“The Outback Barbarians have only lost three games in the five tours held since 2008,” Barton said. “Two of those games have been against New Orleans teams.”
