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December 3, 2010 Baa Baas focused on Bok challenge Posted on 12/03/2010
Friday started with a team meeting at 9.15 with Nick Mallet going over video analysis and all the main threats posed by the Springboks. We then went over to the training ground for our last training session. All of the drills they'd run through in team meetings and in the sports hall over the week were put into practice in the snow. A lot of the guys have never trained in snow before so it was quite a novelty for them. They all took it in their stride though, with Aussie boys Drew Mitchell and captain Matt Giteau jogging out in just shorts and t-shirts. After another superb lunch, the afternoon was leisure time for the boys to rest and prepare, and get a bit of cheeky shopping in before matchday. I sat down with some of the lads talking about tomorrow and how they were looking forward to their summer (southern hemisphere) break - especially having been on tour for over six weeks now. The evening started at 18.30, meeting the prestigious Barbarians committee for informal chats with all the players. Then we moved on to watch a Barbarians video with the committee, followed by a great dinner upstairs. I've never seen such a focused group of athletes as the boys look now. I’m incredibly excited for matchday and all that it brings. - - - - - - Twenty-five-year-old teacher Ben Fenner is spending this week as a Barbarian, staying with the star – studded team in their five-star central London hotel in the run up to the MasterCard Trophy game against South Africa at Twickenham on December 4. He’s writing an exclusive diary for ESPNscrum, detailing his week with the team as No.23... To get all the behind-the-scenes action and news from Ben’s week with the Barbarians go to www.benumber23.com/priceless. MasterCard card holders can also get 20% off tickets to the big game at the site.
December 2, 2010 Training descends into snow ball fight Posted on 12/02/2010
Well we got our first outdoor training session in today. Interesting to see how the team gel together on a pitch - even if it was a pitch covered in snow. Mallett is such an inspirational coach and its clear to see the respect the guys have for him. We trained for about an hour, with the backs and forwards split up. Obviously there was a snowball fight - well that was always going to happen with a couple of inches on the ground! Quiet evening planned for later - a lot of the guys are currently chilling around the hotel - a lot of video game and movie action! - - - - - - Twenty-five-year-old teacher Ben Fenner is spending this week as a Barbarian, staying with the star – studded team in their five-star central London hotel in the run up to the MasterCard Trophy game against South Africa at Twickenham on December 4. He’s writing an exclusive diary for ESPNscrum, detailing his week with the team as No.23... To get all the behind-the-scenes action and news from Ben’s week with the Barbarians go to www.benumber23.com/priceless. MasterCard card holders can also get 20% off tickets to the big game at the site.
December 1, 2010 Posted on 12/01/2010
Wednesday started off slowly as training was again limited because of the weather! It was indoors again because the pitch was covered in snow. The boys ran through some drills - both attacking and defensive. Training didn't last long and it was back on the bus to the hotel for a free afternoon. After a good lunch in the hotel, some of the lads and I hit London for some Christmas shopping which means I now have something for my wife nice and early! The evening started with a Club drinks reception with both squads. There was some superb canapés on offer which we made the most off. At 7.30 we headed off for a great dinner at San Lorenzo restaurant. The evening was superb with some great singers surprising everyone with some cracking Italian classics!! This was only topped by some wonderful authentic Italian singing from none other than Salvatore Perugini! A brilliant way to finish the evening. - - - - - - Twenty-five-year-old teacher Ben Fenner is spending this week as a Barbarian, staying with the star – studded team in their five-star central London hotel in the run up to the MasterCard Trophy game against South Africa at Twickenham on December 4. He’s writing an exclusive diary for ESPNscrum, detailing his week with the team as No.23... To get all the behind-the-scenes action and news from Ben’s week with the Barbarians go to www.benumber23.com/priceless. MasterCard card holders can also get 20% off tickets to the big game at the site.
November 30, 2010 Posted on 11/30/2010
Tuesday started with all the lads having breakfast followed by a team meeting. Nick was going over attacking options from lineouts, rucks, scrums etc with everyone ahead of our first training session later in the day. It all looks incredibly complicated, but all the boys took it in their stride and seemed to know exactly what to do. Our set piece play at the Viscounts is nowhere near as difficult. From the hotel it was off to training, although due to the snowy and cold weather, we were inside. Everyone split off into their units - forwards practicing lineout calls and jumps, and the backs had a game of basketball as they couldn't do any running. After a while, the whole squad walked through scrum and ruck moves - I was picking up tips all day, especially off Mealamu and Moore. The other members of the benumber23 finalist day turned up to watch training, which was great chatting to them about my week so far. Lunch was back at the hotel - a fantastic steak, and then all the lads had to do their media commitments for the game - Sky Sports, SA TV, and all the papers. Once that was finished, we travelled over to Canary Wharf for a pub-style quiz with employees of MasterCard. The Baa-Baas were split between the tables, and proved to be great help in the quiz. Off out for a few quiet ones now with the boys as there is a free day tomorrow for everyone so people will be shopping, some doing media commitments (again!) and others just chilling. - - - - - - Twenty-five-year-old teacher Ben Fenner is spending this week as a Barbarian, staying with the star – studded team in their five-star central London hotel in the run up to the MasterCard Trophy game against South Africa at Twickenham on December 4. He’s writing an exclusive diary for ESPNscrum, detailing his week with the team as No.23... To get all the behind-the-scenes action and news from Ben’s week with the Barbarians go to www.benumber23.com/priceless. MasterCard card holders can also get 20% off tickets to the big game at the site.
November 29, 2010 Posted on 11/29/2010
We had our first team event in the hotel last night, a president’s reception hosted by Micky Steele-Bodger himself and then a team dinner. The Aussies were in particularly good form and are such friendly guys. It’s amazing when you see them on television and then there they are in front of you. Looks like there will be no training today due to the bad weather, but we had a team meeting led by Nick Mallet, a very impressive speaker and coach and I’m picking up tips. The boys were then all given their kit in the team room and we had a full run down of what the week has in store for us. Not everyone here has played for the Baa Baas before so I guess some of us are in the same boat. We’ve got a free afternoon today so a lot of the guys are heading into town...and to Winter Wonderland. There is talk of a ‘training on ice’ photo stunt later this week. Adam Ashley-Cooper seems keen but I think I’ll opt out if I can... - - - - - - Twenty five-year-old teacher Ben Fenner is spending this week as a Barbarian, staying with the star – studded team in their five-star central London hotel in the run up to the MasterCard Trophy game against South Africa at Twickenham on December 4. He’s writing an exclusive diary for ESPNscrum, detailing his week with the team as No.23... To get all the behind-the-scenes action and news from Ben’s week with the Barbarians go to www.benumber23.com/priceless. MasterCard card holders can also get 20% off tickets to the big game at the site.
November 28, 2010 Posted on 11/28/2010
I arrived at the hotel to be met by the Baa Baas’ team representatives. And what an amazing hotel! I can’t believe I’m going to be here for a week, living with some of the biggest names in world rugby. The finalists’ day - when I got to meet Will Greenwood at Twickenham – was such a privilege; I just can’t imagine what this week has in store for me. Rhys, one of the kit guys, gave me my bag – No.23 of course – with all the Baa Baas stash. Some great bits of kit in there, including a beanie, which I think will be much needed. I have to make sure I am wearing the right kit at the right time what with training, team events and formal functions. Good job I brought my club tie. The team arrived slowly, with the guys coming from so many locations after the end of the autumn internationals. The Kiwis arrived from Cardiff, the Aussies from France and the rest of the team throughout the day. Enjoyed a relaxed lunch with Anton Van Zyl from Western Province – a top guy. The rest of the team is looking pretty impressive too: James O'Connor (Aus), Joe Rococoko (NZ), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Aus), Ma'a Nonu (NZ), Drew Mitchell (Aus), Matt Giteau (Aus, capt), Will Genia (Aus), Salvatore Perugini (It), Stephen Moore (Aus), Neemia Tialata (NZ), Anton van Zyl (Stormers), Chris Jack (NZ), Rodney So'oialo (NZ), Martyn Williams (Wales), Colin Bourke (Chiefs) Replacements: Keven Mealamu (NZ), John Yapp (Wales), Quintin Geldenhuys (It), Daniel Braid (NZ), Andy Ellis (NZ), Stephen Donald (NZ), Seru Rabini (Fij) - - - - - - Twenty five-year-old teacher Ben Fenner is spending this week as a Barbarian, staying with the star-studded team in their five-star central London hotel in the run-up to the MasterCard Trophy game against South Africa at Twickenham on December 4. He’s writing an exclusive diary for ESPNscrum, detailing his week with the team as No.23. To get all the behind-the-scenes action and news from Ben’s week with the Barbarians go to www.benumber23.com/priceless. MasterCard card holders can also get 20% off tickets to the big game at the site.
November 27, 2010 Posted on 11/27/2010
MasterCard competition winner Ben Fenner, a teacher from Somerset, is spending a week living, eating and training with the all-star squad, including Martyn Williams and Matt Giteau, as the 23rd member of the Barbarians squad for The MasterCard Trophy. Stay tuned for full details...
May 29, 2010 Don't get me wrong, they'd love a win Posted on 05/29/2010
I had the great pleasure of sitting next to Micky Steele-Bodger last night at our last team outing before Sunday's game. What a privilege to be able to spend an evening with one of the legends of the game. He has some stories! Today was a pretty easy day for the boys with no training in the run up to the game tomorrow. Rushie (Xavier Rush) is relishing the chance to lead the squad out tomorrow. The team are in great shape - despite a long season - and we're all confident they'll put in a good performance at Twickers. Sackey has been getting a bit of banter from his England mates about the game. He's paranoid he's going to head into the wrong changing room by mistake! I can't beleive I'll be heading to Twickenham tomorrow as part of the Team, sharing all their emotions and following in their foot steps as they prepare for the game. Early night for us tonight but the guys dont really feel any of the pressure they would if they were playing for their home union. Don't get me wrong, they'd love a win, but as a Baa Baa they are free to just run out, play rugby with some of the stars of the game, and enjoy it. - - - - - - To get all the behind-the-scenes action and news from Kevin's week with the Barbarians, and for your chance to win other money-can’t-buy rugby prizes, go to www.benumber23.co.uk/priceless. MasterCard is Match Sponsor of the Barbarians international fixtures. The next MasterCard Trophy match takes place on Friday, 4th June at Thomond Park, Limerick. Barbarians v South Africa takes place on 4th December 2010 at Twickenham – www.ticketmaster.co.uk.
May 28, 2010 Posted on 05/28/2010
After a hearty breakfast this morning, we piled on to the team coach to Richmond for training. You can see how closer to the game the training schedule develops and how it gets ramped up. The boys trained for an hour and a half and it was pretty intense. They did lots of drills and they are definitely gelling more and more every time they hit the pitch. I have to say that they were looking sharp! We’ve got a free afternoon today so lots of the boys took the opportunity to do some sightseeing and enjoy a bit of downtime in London. I did the same to be honest! After going for a run in Hyde Park, I caught up on some sleep for an hour or two before we headed out for a team dinner at another top London venue. The dinners are a great way for the team to relax and get to know each other in an informal way, and really help to build that famous Baa Baas team spirit in a short space of time. I’m getting on particularly well with Byron (Kelleher) and Rushie (Xavier Rush) but all the guys have been brilliant. We’re all in the same boat really! You just pull up a chair and whoever is there you just sit and chat to! That’s the Baa Baas way and that’s what makes it so special. … - - - - - - To get all the behind-the-scenes action and news from Kevin's week with the Barbarians, and for your chance to win other money-can’t-buy rugby prizes, go to www.benumber23.co.uk/priceless. MasterCard is Match Sponsor of the Barbarians international fixtures. The next MasterCard Trophy match takes place on Friday, 4th June at Thomond Park, Limerick. Barbarians v South Africa takes place on 4th December 2010 at Twickenham – www.ticketmaster.co.uk.
May 27, 2010 Posted on 05/27/2010
Wednesday night saw all the team head to Scalinis restaurant for the first of our London tour dinners. A great Italian restaurant – and I’m told celeb haunt - it was nearly packed out by all the boys! We were also treated to some opera singing by actors who were masquerading as waiters and waitresses. That was a real treat and some of the squad even joined in! We trained in Hyde Park yesterday, which was a bit of a departure from being on a rugby pitch but a great experience none the less! The backs and the forwards did separate training sessions with Kingsley and Philippe. It was quite interesting to see how the language barriers disappear when you start playing and everyone just slots into their roles so naturally. It was quite emotional for me as my Under 9s made the journey down from Spalding to see the guys in action. They had a great day out and were able to see some of the best players in the world training in one place. Pretty special. It was all capped off by them meeting the squad after training and getting their shirts and balls signed. Paul Sackey even competed in a sprint race with some of them! It was great to see how even guys at this level are happy to engage with the next generation of talent. My family were up yesterday – my wife Becky and my two boys – and they also met all the boys. The day was topped off by a pub quiz in Canary Wharf. Hosted by Match Sponsors MasterCard, it was a fantastic event. Will Greenwood, their Rugby Ambassador, made for an excellent quiz master! Each of the boys were assigned to a table of staff and the winning team was captained by Xavier Rush – a good Omen I hope!!
- - - - - - To get all the behind-the-scenes action and news from Kevin's week with the Barbarians, and for your chance to win other money-can’t-buy rugby prizes, go to www.benumber23.co.uk/priceless. MasterCard is Match Sponsor of the Barbarians international fixtures. The next MasterCard Trophy match takes place on Friday, 4th June at Thomond Park, Limerick. Barbarians v South Africa takes place on 4th December 2010 at Twickenham – www.ticketmaster.co.uk.
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