In honour of Jebb's start against the Australian Barbarians in Brisbane on Friday I thought it a good opportunity to give everyone a bit of a history lesson and recount the story of the biggest game we have ever staged at the club to date: the Loyalists President's 15 vs the Australian Barbarians in October 1995.

 The club had decided the previous year that, with the clubhouse nearly 10 years old and the new (upper) field now in place, that we were ready and due to hold a major fixture. The opportunity presented itself when the Barbarians tour was announced and notice given that the Canadian Rugby Union was inviting proposals to host.  We put our name in the hat and our bid was successful for a mid-week game as they made their way across the country. 

From the outset the plan was for the club to play the Barbarians. As a young team and was just the kind of challenge needed to get to the next level.  Some imports were brought in at key spots; 2 from the Vancouver Meralomas including former Canadian scrumhalf Chris Tynan, 3 Trojans, 2 from Halifax RFC, and 1 each from UNB and Quebec. 

After a lot of work by the organizing committee preparing the grounds to host an international match gameday took shape.  1500 fans showed up to watch the local boys take on players that had recently taken part in the World Cup in South Africa.  From the kickoff the pace was unlike anything the players and fans had seen in person.  Like any true Barbarian team the Aussies ran everything so there was lots of defense to be played.  And play defense we did.  The boys tackled relentlessly but still went down early to the high-flying internationals.  Late in the first half, however, the crowd was brought to their feet when Scotty MacAfee took a feed from Brian Jones and touched down in the corner.  The second half saw more of the same; brilliant ball movement from the Aussies and tenacious defense from the President's 15.  The final score was 77-8 with Scotty adding a penalty to go with his try. 

Future Wallaby star Ben Tune had 4 tries and he and his future test teamates Daniel Herbert and Owen Finegan can count a game in Fredericton on their road to rugby glory.  Aussie legend John Eales was the tour captain but did not play here, a fact for which he was heckled mercilessly.  He, and the team, were given much better hospitality in the club where the were served a salmon and fiddlehead dinner.  They were impressed by our courageous play and enjoyed a great night on the town downtown.  When the dust settled on the tour our score was the second lowest point total allowed.  They put 100 on Ontario's provincial team.  It is one of the club's most ambitious endevours to date and was a grand success.  The next fall we won our first Provincial final since 1989 so the challenge did indeed raise our level.

So when Jebby plays the Barbarians tomorrow night in Brisbane he won't be the first to face them.  He will be returning the favour of their memorable visit here in 1995.