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Australia’s Matt Giteau will captain a Barbarians side dominated by Wallabies and All Blacks in their match against world champions South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.
Giteau, overlooked at centre by Australia in favour of Berrick Barnes for the recent Test wins against Italy and France, will start at fly-half and have Wallaby halfback Will Genia alongside him.
“This is a great honour and I am deeply grateful to the Barbarians committee for the confidence they have shown in me,” said Giteau, a member of Barbarian sides that have previously beaten both the Springboks and New Zealand.
Fullback James O’Connor, winger Drew Mitchell, centre Adam Ashley-Cooper and hooker Stephen Moore complete the list of six Wallabies in a Barbarians starting side where the backline is an all trans-Tasman affair.
There are five All Blacks in winger Joe Rokocoko, centre Ma’a Nonu and forwards Rodney So’oialo, Chris Jack and Neemia Tialata.
The Barbarians, by tradition, select at least one uncapped player in their 1st XV.
But for this match they have gone for two, with Waikato’s Colin Bourke at No.8 and Stormers captain and lock Anton van Zyl up against his compatriots in what will be the Springboks’ final match of 2010.
Meanwhile, Keven Mealamu, Daniel Braid and Stephen Donald, all members of the New Zealand squad that completed a grand slam with a 37-25 victory over Wales in Cardiff last weekend, are on the bench.
Historically, the Barbarians have relied for the bulk of their side on players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
However, Cardiff and Wales flanker Martyn Williams is the only British Isles-based player in the starting XV, with Italy prop Salvatore Perugini the only other European.
Northern hemisphere teams have become increasingly reluctant to let their players appear in a mid-season non-cap fixture that follows hot on the heels of the November international program, for which clubs are obliged to release players under International Rugby Board regulations.
For South Africa, who beat England 21-11 at Twickenham last week, this match will round off a tour that featured wins over Ireland and Wales but also a shock 21-17 loss to Scotland.
The Barbarians, who have no ground of their own and whose players are obliged to use their club or international socks, are arguably rugby union’s most famous invitational side.
Their most celebrated victory was when they beat the All Blacks 23-11 in Cardiff in 1973.
That match featured a length-of-the-field move crowned by an opening try from Wales scrum-half Gareth Edwards that is still widely regarded as one of the greatest scores in rugby union history.
South Africa are due to name their side on Wednesday.
Barbarians:
James O’Connor (AUS); Joe Rococoko (NZL), Drew Mitchell (AUS), Adam Ashley-Cooper (AUS), Ma’a Nonu (NZL); Matt Giteau (AUS, capt), Will Genia (AUS); Colin Bourke (Chiefs/NZL), Martyn Williams (WAL), Rodney So’oialo (NZL); Chris Jack (NZL), Anton van Zyl (Stormers/RSA); Neemia Tialata (NZL), Stephen Moore (AUS), Salvatore Perugini (ITA)Replacements: Keven Mealamu (NZL), John Yapp (WAL), Quintin Geldenhuys (ITA), Daniel Braid (NZL), Andy Ellis (NZL), Stephen Donald (NZL), Seru Rabeni (FIJ)
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.