While this weekend’s game may not carry Test match status, it will be treated as such by players from both sides. With international places at stake, there are plenty of incentives.
At first glance, one could be mistaken for thinking this is a mere warm-up for the Wallabies. However, players from both the Barbarians and the Wallabies have their Test careers on the line.
A common portrayal of the Barbarians is that they are a team of has-been internationals looking for some easy money. In this instance, the players have far more on the line.
Take Phil Waugh and Rocky Elsom, for example. These two have been given the opportunity to go head to head with players vying for their Test positions.
What better way to prove a point to Wallaby selectors than destroying the incumbents at the breakdown?
Much has been made of Elsom’s performances in the recently concluded Heineken Cup and consequently the Australian public are expecting big things from the newly signed Brumby.
It is almost inevitable that Elsom will be added to the Wallaby squad, but he will still be looking to produce a powerful performance against his compatriots.
Phil Waugh’s situation is slightly more intriguing.
Speculation has been rife that Waugh is on the outer in terms of international honours. The fact that he is playing for the Barbarians could be seen as evidence of his fall from favour.
Waugh will have to produce a huge performance to try and force his way back into contention.
His best chance may come this weekend as he comes up against debutant Matt Hodgson. Disrupting Hodgson may be Waugh’s ticket to the Tri Nations, as it appears David Pocock has leap-frogged Waugh into the back up role for George Smith.
The match clearly provides Waugh with the opportunity to pit himself against his Wallaby competitors, and for his sake; he had better hope he catches the eye of Wallaby selectors.
The Wallaby selectors won’t be the only ones paying close attention to the performance of Barbarians players: Graham Henry also has vested interests in the match.
Luke McAlister is playing his first game of rugby for nearly four months and his form will be of great interest to the All Blacks’ selectors.
McAlister has the potential to be Henry’s trump card in the absence of Dan Carter during the Tri Nations.
In addition to McAlister, there is another potential All Black on show for the Barbarians. Sonny Bill Williams is making his much-anticipated homecoming, and this too will be of interest to the All Blacks.
The fact that All Blacks assistant, Wayne Smith, has met with Williams clearly shows he is on their radar for the 2011 World Cup. And he has been given a great chance to showcase his wide array of skills.
The experienced and accomplished players surrounding Williams in the Barbarians should mean he is given every opportunity to succeed.
Whatever way you look at it, the first international of the season is far more than just a warm-up. Although it has been given the name ‘friendly’, I suggest the nature of the game will be far from it.
Captain Nemo
Guest
I am really looking forward to an entertaining game tonight. I am going to the game and if it is half as good as the wallabies V Baa-Baas at Twickenham it will be very entertaining
Derm
Roar Guru
Melon - no I'm not going to argue about the selection policy of the Baa-Baas. I just asked a question and got the answer in terms of the line-up. That's all. I have a particular - probably peculiar - view of the nationality mix that should be in a Barbarians line-up depending on who they're playing. And it's purely a personal one. I won't waste time disclosing or debating it here. Looking forward to the matches tomorrow and watching Gentleman Elsom in action.
Knives Out
Guest
Corry has played lock at test and club level. He's probably a shade under 6'6. Rocky is probabyl far more devastating around the paddock than Mumm and scrummaging might reduce that. I imagine he'll end up at lock as so many ageing blindside flankers have done.
Nick P-G
Guest
Im wondering fellas, what happens if a lock gets injured? surely corry is too short to play lock. does that mean elsom would be given a crack? ive been keen too see him there for ages. if mumm and mmm can play lock why not rocky? would be a wicked fast forward pack.
Who Needs Melon
Guest
Q: “How international is the Barbarians team" A: Do you have a quota or something? Would prefer more Irish? A few Kenyans? A Jap? Crikey are we going to start arguing about the selection policy of the Barbarians now?!?
Nick (KIA)
Guest
"How international is the Barbarians team - from the above it looks like a collection of Wallaby and All Black players." and "Pretty much a Wallaby and AB line-up then." Depends how you look at it. 10 of the 22 are former or current Wallabies or All Blacks. There are another 3 uncapped NZers. But if you consider who's eligible for the ABs/Wallabies currently, then its 3 of 22 (Elsom, Waugh, McAlister). Phil Waugh is the only S14 player - the rest have just finished the season in Europe.
Derm
Roar Guru
It's on live here on Saturday morning. Might give it a whirl so, before settling into the main fare after lunchtime.
Billo
Guest
Balshaw is very quick, but lacks physical power, whereas Lewsey is physically far more robust, particularly on defence, but lacks technique, particularly in the art of passing a ball. Both could benefit if Sonny Bill is still able to offload the ball like he did with the Bulldogs. If Balshaw in particular is put into a gap he can finish very well. All eyes will be on Sonny Bill.
Derm
Roar Guru
As in they won't be able to keep up? Or they'll be starved of ball all day? Or they'll get the ball one inch from the touchline?
Billo
Guest
I don't know whether the game is being shown in England, but if it is I'll really look forward to seeing how the two English wingers play outside Sonny Bill Williams.
Derm
Roar Guru
Pretty much a Wallaby and AB line-up then.
Knives Out
Guest
Barbarians: 15 Geordan Murphy (Ireland), 14 Iain Balshaw (England), 13 Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand), 12 Seilala Mapusua (Samoa), 11 Josh Lewsey (England), 10 Luke McAlister (New Zealand), 9 Chris Whitaker (Australia), 8 Rocky Elsom (Australia), 7 Phil Waugh (Australia, captain), 6 Jerry Collins (New Zealand), 5 Paul Tito (New Zealand), 4 Chris Jack (New Zealand), 3 B.J. Botha (South Africa), 2 Sebastien Bruno (France), 1 Clarke Dermody (New Zealand). Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits (South Africa), 17 Greg Somerville (New Zealand), 18 Martin Corry (England), 19 Serge Betsen (France), 20 Justin Marshall (New Zealand), 21 Glen Jackson (New Zealand), 22 Ben Blair (New Zealand).
Derm
Roar Guru
How international is the Barbarians team - from the above it looks like a collection of Wallaby and All Black players. Anyone got the line-up?
Ian Noble
Guest
If the Baa-baas play as well as they did against England then you will see rugby at it's best. For the players an invitation to play for the Baa-baas with the other top players from different nations is considered a great honour. Doug Howlett refused to swop shirts because he wanted to keep his playing shirt as a momento of his first appearance as a Baa-baa. They will not want to lose and it will be competitive, but hopefully they will continue the basic Baa-baas principle of fast open rugby with a litttle showboating to entertain the crowd.