Gaz, SBW for Baa Baas?

[jargan83]

Gaz, SBW for Baa Baas?

By Wayne Smith

September 13, 2008

SONNY Bill Williams and Mark Gasnier could get to experience Wallabies rugby from the other side as members of the Barbarians side to play Australia at Wembley in December.

The Wallabies will play a top-flight Barbarians outfit there on December 3 as part of a British Olympic Committee celebration of the centenary of Australia's rugby gold medal win at the 1908 London Olympics.

And while the Australian Rugby Union boss John O'Neill isn't so bold as to nominate what players should be selected against the Wallabies, he admitted it would be "a great idea" if the league converts were given a taste of virtual Test rugby.

"If you're looking to sell tickets, then having Sonny Bill Williams and Mark Gasnier playing against the Wallabies would probably do it," O'Neill said.

Even if the two former NRL greats are passed over for the Wembley match, there might be a second chance for them to turn out against the Wallabies.

O'Neill said coach Robbie Deans had requested additional matches for the Wallabies at the start of the 2009 international season and that preparations were well-advanced for the British Barbarians to send a powerful side to play Australia in Sydney in June.

With World Cup-winning former Wallabies mentor Bob Dwyer almost certain to coach the Barbarians, it should not be difficult to seed the multinational invitational side with cross-code players like the two French-based former rugby league stars.


Gaz, SBW for Baa Baas? - Rugby - Fox Sports

[jargan83]

From the same article i enjoyed these few pargarphs at the end

"South Africa, meanwhile, have expressed their concern to O'Neill at Australia's recent policy decision to allow their four Super 14 teams to recruit two foreign players who might in future become eligible to play for the Wallabies.

"There has been some fanning of the flames from South Africa that this new policy is directed against them," said O'Neill. "And that's not right."

Yet there is little doubt many of South Africa's best young white players will view the three-year qualification period in Australia as a small price to pay to make the Test arena if they think racial transformation quotas will block their way into the Springboks."