Pienaar And Tuohy Selected For Barbarians Duty
Ulster players Ruan Pienaar and Dan Tuohy have been named in the Barbarians squad for the international fixture against Fiji at Kingspan Stadium on Friday, November 11 (kick-off 7.30pm).
The pair join up with Australia’s Taqele Naiyaravo and Will Skelton, as well as New Zealand’s 2011 World Cup winner Andy Ellis, who were announced by coaches Robbie Deans and Will Greenwood last week.
Both players are no strangers to the Barbarians, with Ruan Pienaar having represented the famous invitational side on three previous occasions, including the 22-21 victory over Ireland at Thomond Park last year, while Dan Tuohy has lined out for Ireland three times against the Baa Baas.
Ulster scrum half Pienaar made his international debut for South Africa against the All Blacks in 2006 and went on to make 88 appearances, helping the Springboks collect a World Cup in 2007 and the Tri Nations title two years later.
Following five seasons at the Sharks in his native country, Pienaar joined Ulster in 2010 and has gone on to become a fan favourite at Kingspan Stadium, making 123 appearances and amassing 798 points along the way.
Like Pienaar, Tuohy also made his international debut against New Zealand in 2010, and marked the occasion by scoring a try within a minute of coming on as a first half replacement. The second row has made 11 appearances for Ireland, and was part of the 2014 & 2015 Six Nations-winning squads.
He has made 134 appearances during his eight seasons at Ulster, and is set to become Barbarian no. 4,997 when he wears the celebrated black and white shirt for the first time against Fiji.
Speaking at a media call at Kingspan Stadium this afternoon, Ulster director of rugby Les Kiss said: “I am delighted to announce that Ruan and Dan have been selected to join the Barbarians squad for this historic fixture.
“It is a great personal honour for them, and the fact that they will run out for the Barbarians here at Kingspan Stadium wearing their Ulster socks will make it an even more memorable occasion. The Barbarians and Fiji are two sides who are renowned for playing skilful and entertaining rugby so it is set up to be a fantastic night here in Belfast.”
The Barbarians and Fiji last met at Twickenham in November 2013 where the Baa Baas recorded a 43-19 victory in a 10-try thriller. Among the try scorers that day for the Barbarians was current Ulster and All Black sensation Charles Piutau.
The Fiji squad is also likely to contain a number of high profile names, including the likes of former Ulster favourite Timoci Nagusa and Montpellier star Nemani Nadolo.
Tickets to the Barbarians v Fiji match at Kingspan Stadium are priced from just £20 for adults and £12 for juniors, and are available to purchase online at www.ulsterrugby.com/buytickets or by calling the Ulster Rugby Ticket Office on (028) 9049 3222. Group bookings and hospitality packages are also available.