Four Wallabies in Barbarians line-up

[travelling_gerry]

AAP December 3, 2009, 2:57 am

AAP © Enlarge photo






Australia will supply four players for the Barbarians side that will face the All Blacks at Twickenham on Saturday.
Winger Drew Mitchell, fly-half Matt Giteau, back-row George Smith and Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom have all been named in the starting line-up, with scrum-half Will Genia and hooker Stephen Moore named on the replacements' bench.

New Zealand skipper Richie McCaw, recently crowned the IRB 2009 world player of the year, and Cory Jane - back in his first-choice position of full-back - are the only two survivors from the All Blacks team that beat France 39-12 in Marseille last weekend.
And the Twickenham crowd won't have a second chance to see Dan Carter, who starred in New Zealand's November win over England, after coach Graham Henry left the fly-half out of his 22-man squad.

Instead, Stephen Donald will run-on at No 10 for his first start of the tour with prop John Afoa also making his first start against a star-studded Barbarians side that also features All Black wing Joe Rokocoko.
New Zealand have yet to lose on this tour, having defeated Australia (in Tokyo), Wales, Italy, England and France.

Of New Zealand's four debutants on this tour three - Zac Guildford, Ben Smith and Tamati Ellison - will start while Mike Delany is on the bench.
The Barbarians re captained by South Africa World Cup-winning second row Victor Matfield and features several of his fellow Springboks in star wing Bryan Habana, Jacques Fourie, Fourie du Preez and Bismarck du Plessis.

The starting team, which was traditionally composed of players from the Britain and Ireland, features just three northern hemisphere names in Wales centre Jamie Roberts and Italian forwards Carlo del Fava and Salvatore Perugini.
Barbarians coach Nick Mallett, currently in charge of Italy, said: "We have the benefit of a full week together ahead of the match.

"Knowing the talent that has been assembled among the 22 players, we expect to be very competitive and give the All Blacks and the Twickenham crowd a real taste of Barbarian rugby at its best," the former South Africa coach added.
Teams for the non-cap international between the Barbarians and New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday, 1430GMT (Sunday 0130 AEDT):

Barbarians Drew Mitchell (AUS); Joe Rokocoko (NZL), Jacques Fourie (RSA), Jamie Roberts (WAL), Bryan Habana (RSA); Matt Giteau (AUS), Fourie du Preez (RSA); George Smith (AUS), Schalk Burger (RSA), Rocky Elsom (AUS); Victor Matfield (RSA, capt), Carlo del Fava (ITA); WP Nel (RSA/uncappped); Bismarck du Plessis (RSA), Salvatore Perugini (ITA)

Reps: Stephen Moore (AUS), Tenai Mtawarira (RSA), Quintin Geldenhuys (ITA), Andy Powell (WAL), Will Genia (AUS), Morne Steyn (RSA), Leigh Halfpenny (WAL)



New Zealand

Cory Jane; Zac Guildford, Tamati Ellison, Luke McAllister, Ben Smith; Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard; Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (capt), Liam Messam; Anthony Boric, Jason Eaton; John Afoa, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett

Replacements: Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata, Adam Thomson, Tanerau Latimer, Jimmy Cowan, Mike Delany, Sitiveni Sivivatu

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...rians-line-up/

[GIGS20]

Jeez Gits starting against Steyn......whoda thunk?

[James]

Bet you the Barbarians are winning for most of the match and then Drew Mitchell misses a tackle in the 79th minute to give New Zealand the win.

[sandgroperrugby]

Bet you the Barbarians are winning for most of the match and then Drew Mitchell misses a tackle in the 79th minute to give New Zealand the win.

Reckon you are partly correct. He will try a clearance kick from deep in the Ba-ba's half the resulting lineout inside the 22 will be won by the AB's and then Cory Jane will get the ball shrugging off a lame Drew tackle to cross the line for a try the AB’s win in the 80th minute!

[zimeric]

seriously guys.. give him some more credit..

he will try to clear a kick deep in his own half.. it goes a long way!! .. but doesnt go out and the resulting counter attack from Corey Jane forces the barbarians flat in defence.. opens a hole which Jane exploits by popping up an inside pass to McAllister whose monstrous thighs are just too much for Drew and he does his usual desperate "grab and fall over" routine.. lets the Mac truck through for a soft one between the posts....

[mudskipper]

Four Barbarian Brumbies at Twickers.... A Brumbies propaganda initiative...?

[GIGS20]

No just the most expensive Wallabies they could find ATM.

It's pure coincidence that most of them are underperforming ATM

[mudskipper]

The Brumbies: an Australian Stimulus Project.... to win back super rugby silverware

[GIGS20]

Ahhhh yes, complete ignorance of any response made....now I remember why I ignored you......I might go back to that place I think!

[James]

Four Barbarian Brumbies at Twickers.... A Brumbies propaganda initiative...?

Four Brumbies sticking around to play for the Barbarians is no surprise.... anything is better than being back in Canberra.

[robyn <3]

Well, I for one (and only one it seems) expect Drew to play like a little trooper. One try. At least. I have faith in him.

Barbars to win by 6

But why's he at FB! *sigh*

[welshrugbyfan]

WTF is this infatuation with Drew Mitchell?

Did he touch the ball in the NH tour?

All I can remember is a gimme try in one of the games. On a selection process he is considered one of the best in world rugby?

[es1988]

Benn Robinson??? Hasnt he proved hes the best loosehead in the world