After the release of the Wallabies end-of-year tour schedule, this writer and rugby lover thought it would be interesting to take a look at a possible Barbarians side that could face the Aussies later in the year.
The star-studded squad that will face England in June (see below) gives us an idea of the talent that will be at the disposal of the Baa Baas.
With a host of international stars choosing to take up Top 14 and Avia premiership deals, the Barbarians could end up looking more like a World XV than a group of exiled players.
Former Wallaby stalwarts Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell and exiled star James O’Connor will be looking to prove to the ARU they still have what it takes to compete at the elite level. More importantly, James O’Connor will be hoping Wallaby coach Ewen McKenzie likes what he sees and picks him for Rugby World Cup duty in 2015.
With nearly twelve months out of Super Rugby and eight months since the infamous incident at Perth airport, he will be looking to make up for lost time. O’Connor is yet to sign with a Super Rugby franchise for 2015 season, but rumours suggest he will sign with either the under performing Reds or the resurgent Western Force.
O’Connor will be looking to perform well on the international stage and with French club Toulon. If he does so, it will increase his popularity with Super Rugby franchises and give him greater control of contract negotiations.
Fellow Aussies Mitchell and Giteau will be looking for some bittersweet revenge on their former employees who both had their potential Super Rugby and Wallaby careers cut short through either form, injuries, age or wage demands.
Giteau has been in scintillating form with French club Toulon, including winning the Heineken Cup last year in an exciting encounter against fellow French club Clermont. Mitchell last year joined his former Wallaby mate Giteau at Toulon and has been enjoying life in southern France.
There are be several other Wallabies and Australian Super Rugby players playing abroad. These players include: Digby Ioane (Stade Français), Ben Mowen, Leroy Houstan, Hugh Pyle, Sitaleki Timani, Dan Palmer and many more that I have probably forgotten.
With so much talent off shore, the Wallabies in recent years have suffered due to the large wages on offer in France, the United Kingdom and Japan. This makes it a good opportunity for current Wallabies to prove to their expat brothers that they have earned the jersey through form and not through default.
My challenge to the readers is to make a XV Barbarians team and guess the score against the current Wallabies side.
Barbarians selected to take on England: James O’Connor (London Irish, Australia), Drew Mitchell (Toulon, Australia), Hosea Gear (Toulouse, New Zealand), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Clermont, New Zealand), Aurélien Rougerie (Clermont, France), Rene Ranger (Montpelier, France), Matt Giteau (Toulon, Australia), Francois Trinh Duc (Montpelier, France), Jimmy Cowan (Gloucester, New Zealand), Steffon Armitage (Toulon, England), Julien Bonnaire (Clermont, France), Ali Williams (Toulon, New Zealand), Carl Hayman (Toulon, New Zealand), John Afoa (Ulster, New Zealand).
Nigel Imrie
Guest
Wallabies Rule, Gits has moved on and so has the rest, plenty of TALENT AT HOME, we won 4 in a row on Spring Tour with homegrown talent, hope McKenzie perservers with that!
chris
Guest
Sure the AB's wasnt their full strength A team, but neither was Australia when they have played the baabas... heck it was o'connors first start at #10 for the wallabies. If you added Carter in the team below i dont think you could complain about it being a B team.... quality of players doesnt automatically mean they gel together as a team as soapit already stated above. AB team: C Jane; B Smith, T Ellison (S Sivivatu 40), L McAlister, Z Guildford (A Thomson 64); S Donald (M Delany 40), B Leonard (J Cowan 52); W Crockett (N Tialata 67), C Flynn, J Afoa, J Eaton, A Boric, L Messam, R McCaw (captain) (T Latimer 40), R So’oialo.
Jerry
Guest
I wouldn't say the 09 match was that big of an upset. The AB's played a complete B team many of whom wouldn't have played together much. And without much of an advantage in terms of combinations/familiarity, the AB's simply didn't have the quality of players in the Baabaa's squad which had a bunch of Boks in career best form.
chris
Guest
I'll answer my own question now that im on a pc and its easy to check the archive. The Baabas have only ever beaten the wallabies twice - in 58 and 76. So not in the professional era unlike NZ and SA who have both lost to the baabas in recent years - love it!
chris
Guest
the Barbarians team of 2009 which was stacked with AUS and SA players beat the All Blacks 25 - 18. Yes, in general i would agree with your theory - but that game above was a huge upset (as was the famous 1973 game) wouldnt you agree?
eric
Guest
Soapit if we have learned anything from our cricket and rugby revivals it is the value of player attitude. Paul Roos had a name for it at the Swans. Cooper, Giteau, O'Connor, throw in Beale and you have a team management nightmare. Granted, Cooper has turned it around, but I'd like to see the other blokes do some hard yards and earn their recall. I wouldn't touch JOC with a barge pole if I was a S15 coach.
Bakkies
Guest
Smith's joining Lyon
bryan
Guest
If JOC was serious about returning for the wallabies, he should be signing for a NRC team, For FREE. Show you can play with a team, as a team player. Show you can play without hitting the drinks at 2am.
Mike
Guest
Combesy, I like your suggested Baa Baas team - here are a few other wild card suggestions: Chris Ashton Jacques Potgieter - Tahs fans are very surprised that Bokke don't want him. Davit Zirakashvili - arguably one of the best props in the world. Pascal Pape Sergio Parisse
Mike
Guest
"i dont think you understand what opposite means" I understand what it means and you obviously do not. Not-A is the opposite of A. Now go back and read the post again. "that was such a poor start in terms of coherence i bailed out of your response at that point sorry." A relief for everybody I think. "i will say that if you insist on dealing in absolutes" You are hilarious - someone who answers an absolute deals in absolutes! Go back and work on coherence before posting again. "the only question that remains is whether its pride or genuine incomprehension that prevents you acknowledging it" Precisely my question to you.
Mike
Guest
What do you mean by "connections"? Personally I hope he never does discover that sort of humility - Australian rugby needs him NOT to find it.
Chan Wee
Guest
does George Smith still play? Julien Salvi may be better option , or Dean Mumm.
Crazy Horse
Guest
It's his off field behaviour that has caused two Australian S15 teams to five him the flick.
Combesy
Roar Guru
Yep. I think this is reds biggest problem. Teams have figured out that if you shut down cooper and genia the reds have little go forward. Agree, though Mckenzie has given some what of a deadline for o'connor to be signed with a franchise in order for him to be eligible for RWC. I'd suggest he will sign for a 3 year deal with a modest wage to increase with benefits and have a substantial third party deal to top up as his brand gets back on track.
soapit
Guest
mos def. for me cooper and genia are paering over some real cracks in their backline. oconnor seems like a good fit to me, someone will need to start the conversation though.
Combesy
Roar Guru
Sorry on the iPad won't allow editing. Forgive the grammar
Combesy
Roar Guru
Agreed diehard, for me the reds are too dependant in cooper, and it would be good to have someone that would elevate some pressure and draw defenders away from cooper. I suspect being closer to his family would cause him to be more humble. We all know, no one can cut you down more than mum and dad
soapit
Guest
personally i think the best aspet to his ball carrying is his speed and evasiveness (and not his physicality) which i think is better suited to a 13. i also think his ball playing is better suited to finishing off moves final pass style (with a few less options to think about) as opposed to a genuine playmaker. again better suited to 13.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
I'm hoping the Red's give him a chance next year. I'm all for second chances especially when they have so much to offer in return. I think he could be the second five they need outside Cooper or would work well on a wing. The Wallabies could certainly use him.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
Excellent points. Except Australia can't get back to being No. 1 as No 2 is as high as they have ever been. The only No. 1's so far are England SA and The All Blacks.