Some late changes to the Barbarians squad this week sees South African Sharks pair Francois Steyn and Johann Muller called up along with Italian strong man Federico Pucciariello and Pacific Islander front rower Census Johnston.
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The Barbarians assemble in London on Sunday with more big names added to their squad for the end-of-tour extravaganza against Australia at Wembley on 3 December.
Springbok Steyn comes in for the injured Francois Trinh-Duc behind the scrum while in the pack Pucciariello and Johnston replace Gurthro Steenkamp and Carl Hayman respectively. South African lock forward Muller is also called up to replace Steve Borthwick.
The starting line-up will be announced at midday on Monday 1 December.
Barbarians squad:
Backs: Percy Montgomery (SA), Bryan Habana (SA), Joe Rococoko (NZ), Shane Williams (Wales), Rico Gear (NZ), Jean de Villiers (SA), Ollie Smith (England), Francois Steyn (SA), George Gregan (Australia), Fourie du Preez (SA)
Forwards: John Smit (SA), Mark Regan (England), Census Johnston (Samoa), Federico Pucciariello (Italy), Patrice Collazo (France), Bakkies Botha (SA), Johann Muller (SA), Chris Jack (NZ), Nick Koster (Western Province), Schalk Burger (SA), Jerry Collins (NZ), Richie McCaw (NZ)
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This surely has to be the finest BaaBaa, nay finest world squad, ever assembled?
I really should try to get tickets for thsi game. It’s gonna be a cracker.
at least it’s going to be on Sky
@robdylan (Comment 2) : It’s the little things in life…
Going to be a cracker. Interesting that the Aussies and AB’s are only going to have 4 days rest before the game on Wednesday. It’s gonna be a big test for Steyn if he is Flyhalf playing against Gitau. He will have to be a lot quicker in his kicking out of hand. Hopefully being a Baa baa game there won’t be to much kicking.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 1) : Tickets range from $100 – $250. That’s quite steep!
@Baldrick (Comment 5) : my goodness
You can still get tickets on ticketmaster for £45. Probably not the best seat though.
@McLovin (Comment 7) : that’s like a week’s groceries!
Whats with all the South Africans in the team.
Select two get one free.
@Salmonoid (Comment 9) : you mean Jake?
@robdylan (Comment 8) : Only a few days worth for me.
@robdylan (Comment 10) :
Hell probably play them all out of position so that they look utterly crap.
@McLovin (Comment 11) : yeah, I know… for us too. Was just egzajerating…
@Salmonoid (Comment 12) : he he
I wonder what he’ll do with McCaw, since he doesn’t believe in fetchers…
@robdylan (Comment 14) :
He’s scheduled to play off the bench, for the last 3 minutes at lock.
To be honest, I think Jake must be like a little kid at Christmas time. I think he must be relishing the chance to get his hands on a top class team.
@robdylan (Comment 13) : Thought that was too good to be true.
@McLovin (Comment 16) : my wife can spend that every time she goes to Sainsburys… I have to try hard to stop her
@robdylan (Comment 17) : Grocery shopping is probably the only type of shopping I enjoy.
Barbarians – 15 Percy Montgomery (SA), 14 Joe Rokocoko (NZ), 13 Rico Gear (NZ), 12 Jean de Villiers (SA), 11 Bryan Habana (SA), 10 Francois Steyn (SA), 9 Fourie du Preez (SA), 8 Schalk Burger (SA), 7 Richie McCaw (NZ), 6 Jerry Collins (NZ), 5 Johann Muller (SA), 4 Bakkies Botha (SA), 3 Census Johnston (Samoa), 2 John Smit (SA & captain), 1 Federico Pucciariello (Italy). Subs: 16 Mark Regan (England), 17 Rodney Blake (Australia), 18 Chris Jack (NZ), 19 Nick Koster (Western Province), 20 George Gregan (Australia), 21 Ollie Smith (England), 22 Shane Williams (Wales).
Coach – Jake White
Assistant Coach – Eddie Jones