Wallabies face up to dangerous Baa-Baas
Roar Guru By James Mortimer, 5 Jun 2009 James Mortimer is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Barbarians, Bill Beaumont, Chris Whittaker, Francois Pienaar, Geordan Murphy, Gerald Davies, Jerry Collins, Jonah Lomu, Luke McAlister, Matt Giteau, Michael Lynagh, Mike Gibson, Phil Waugh, Phillipe Sella, robbie deans, Rocky Elsom, Rugby Union, Sonny Bill Williams, wallabies, William Percy Carpmael
It will be an examination that coach Robbie Deans will cherish, when his first Test match of 2009 is against one of the most star-studded selection sides ever seen.
When William Percy Carpmael – the man credited with the creation of the Barbarians concept – had the famous meeting in April of 1890 which formed the club, he would have had little idea that the vision would have grown to the heights it has today.
Officially, the Barbarians played the Hartlepool Rovers on the 27th December 1890, winning 9-4; the first ever match for the famous black and white hooped team.
Since then, some of the greatest players in rugby have represented the side, from the incomparable A.J.F O’Reilly, who played for the Barbarians 30 times and scored 38 tries (more than any other Barbarian), through to players such as Gerald Davies, Mike Gibson, Bill Beaumont, Phillipe Sella, Michael Lynagh, Francois Pienaar and Jonah Lomu.
And that tradition looks to be enforced by an incredible looking squad containing 775 test caps.
From the three quarters, we see an English wing combination of 2003 World Cup winners Iain Balshaw and Josh Lewsey combine with Geordan Murphy, one of the most experienced Irish fullbacks of all time.
In the midfield, plenty of hype has been raised about the selection of Sonny Bill Williams, both in regard to his return to Australia (where he walked out on the league club Canterbury Bulldogs) and his first international rugby match.
Ironically, considering the Barbarians only criteria for selection is that a player must behave themselves on and off the field, one could argue that the Toulon centre is lucky to play for the Baa-baas.
His partnership with Seilala Mapusua will represent a hard running Islander combination for the Wallabies to contend with, with the London Irish and former Highlander midfielder renowned for his strong all round game.
At number ten, former Sale Shark Luke McAlister comes up against Matt Giteau, who would be regarded as currently the best standoff in world rugby.
Much interest will be on whether the former All Blacks’ game has improved in a head to head that some say may be seen later in the Tri Nations.
Chris Whittaker, the most capped Waratah of all time and Heineken Cup winner, will play against Luke Burgess in a position where some believe the Wallabies have no dominant player.
And to cause more issues for the Wallabies, the most capped All Black scrum half of all time, Justin Marshall, is waiting on the bench.
In the loose forwards, the two Western Force rookies of Richard Brown and Matt Hodgson will combine with the brilliant George Smith to combat a truly outstanding group of back rowers.
In Rocky Elsom, Phil Waugh and Jerry Collins, as well as Serge Betson on the bench, you have four men that not only have 228 tests between them, but all four would at their prime be considered as accomplished flankers as there has ever been for their respective countries.
In the locks, equal interest will be on Chris Jack, who has left Saracens and heads to Western Province for a brief stint, before resuming his New Zealand rugby career.
Only 30 years old and with 67 tests to his name, no doubt he will be in the All Blacks radar for their lineout stocks.
Joined by Paul Tito, the inspirational Cardiff Blues and former NZ Maori captain, their presence will be enforced by England lock Martin Corry on the bench.
In the front row, former Springboks BJ Botha and Schalk Brits will combine with ex-All Blacks Greg Somerville and Clarke Dermody, as well as former French hooker Sebastion Bruno.
This will be a historic first for the Barbarians, playing the Wallabies in Australia.
On ten previous occasions they have played, the Baa-baas have tasted victory only three times; in 1948, 1958 and 1976.
Their most recent clash, on the December 3 last year at Wembley Stadium, was won by the Wallabies. Chris Jack is the only player in the Barbarians match twenty two from that corresponding fixture.
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- Explore:
- Barbarians, Bill Beaumont, Chris Whittaker, Francois Pienaar, Geordan Murphy, Gerald Davies, Jerry Collins, Jonah Lomu, Luke McAlister, Matt Giteau, Michael Lynagh, Mike Gibson, Phil Waugh, Phillipe Sella, robbie deans, Rocky Elsom, Rugby Union, Sonny Bill Williams, wallabies, William Percy Carpmael
June 5th 2009 @ 6:47pm
mother teresa said | June 5th 2009 @ 6:47pm | Report comment
CRAIG” ,played together once”.do you think the wallabies have no past combos.i could go thru the teams but obvious.
June 6th 2009 @ 10:07pm
ohtani's jacket, said | June 6th 2009 @ 10:07pm | Report comment
You were a bit off with this one, James.
I dunno why, but I actually watched this. The Wallabies were awful, but Dickinson was even worse.
June 6th 2009 @ 10:11pm
Knives Out said | June 6th 2009 @ 10:11pm | Report comment
If I were Australian I would be fuming with that bullshit from the Barbarians. The first time they play on Australian soil and half the team looked hungover or punch drunk – which isn’t too clever in the light of revelations from Jerry Collins that the boys had been on the booze wagon big time. They were appalling and Dai Young managed to further his reputation as a complete bozo.
I agree Ohtani, why I watched the game I do not know. I feel a little bit depressed after that. Think I need a cream soda.
June 6th 2009 @ 10:19pm
mother teresa said | June 6th 2009 @ 10:19pm | Report comment
as i said in the opening post,these guys were not up to it and to dress it up as strong first up for the wallabies was just sad.
for all those posters called james ;change your name .
June 6th 2009 @ 10:25pm
ohtani's jacket, said | June 6th 2009 @ 10:25pm | Report comment
If I were Australian, I’d be fuming that my team is full of show ponies.
June 6th 2009 @ 10:26pm
Knives Out said | June 6th 2009 @ 10:26pm | Report comment
‘If I were Australian, I’d be fuming that my team is full of show ponies.’
Like who, I had people round and was only watching out of one eye.
June 6th 2009 @ 10:32pm
ohtani's jacket, said | June 6th 2009 @ 10:32pm | Report comment
Anyone who celebrates scoring a try against that Barbarians side like they just scored a Test try needs to be Hung, drawn and quartered. Alexander did a superman dive.
June 6th 2009 @ 11:05pm
Dan said | June 6th 2009 @ 11:05pm | Report comment
OJ,
Wow, never heard anyone be such a kill joy… Yeah sure, the barbarians were severe disappointments, but with the line up they had, the extra game against England (which they won) and the lack of prep and youth of the wallabies it looked like it may have been a tough match. Heck, it was last year! So what if the boys enjoy themselves a bit out there?! Sheesh, are you honestly that joyless a human being?
June 6th 2009 @ 11:06pm
Worlds Biggest said | June 6th 2009 @ 11:06pm | Report comment
settle down OJ, yes Alexander went over the top a bit however any prop that scores a meat pie treasures it for ever as it doesn’t happen that often !. Don’t take it too seriously, Dingo will be in his ear to ensure to cool it in the future. was at the game and really enjoyed it, Baa Baas weren’t much chop but I thought the Wallabies played some good Rugby all be it against a thrown together team. $BW had plenty of attention sent his way. I wonder if his mate Willie Mason was watching. Willie was quoted that he would back $BW any day over Mortlock. I think he might have to rethink that. Great to see Chris Whittaker play his last game on his home ground, he did some great work while on the field particularly defensively. James O’Connor looks exciting.
June 6th 2009 @ 11:18pm
Working Class Rugger said | June 6th 2009 @ 11:18pm | Report comment
SBW got drilled on 4 different occasions that I saw on Fox. All four were great hits. Mortlock easily won that round. For Sonny the AB’s won’t be calling anytime soon.