A Barbarians team featuring 10 different nationalities and over a thousand test caps will be led by former South Africa lock Victor Matfield for Saturday’s international match against Australia at Twickenham.
In what marks the final game of his illustrious 10-year international career at the age of 34, Matfield will captain the invitational side, having earned 110 caps and played a crucial role in South Africa’s 2007 World Cup victory.
“He’s a legend in the game – 110 tests for South Africa, four caps for the Barbarians,” remarked Steve Hansen, the All Blacks defense coach involved in the Baa-Baas’ coaching team for this match.
“It’s been a joy to work with him so far. You can see why he’s a wonderful player when you observe closely.”
The Barbarians have assembled a strong, seasoned lineup, aiming to build on their victories over New Zealand and South Africa from the past two years with another triumph against Australia, who will view this match as a beneficial warm-up ahead of their test against Wales in Cardiff on December 3.
Four players from New Zealand’s 2011 World Cup-winning team – Keven Mealamu, Jerome Kaino, Adam Thomson, and Isaia Toeava – will feature in the starting lineup, which is managed by recently retired All Blacks coach Graham Henry alongside Hansen, his long-time assistant and potential successor.
Additional prominent players called up include former Australia captain Stirling Mortlock, South Africa winger Bryan Habana, and France prop Sylvain Marconnet.
On the younger side, 22-year-old England rugby league fullback Sam Tomkins is set to start on the wing, which could signal a future transition to rugby union in his career.
After participating in last weekend’s Four Nations final against the Kangaroos, the Wigan star anticipates his debut in rugby union and acknowledged that the encounter against the world No.2 side would be quite challenging.
“Playing them both in eight days is something strange for me,” Tomkins expressed.
“I hold immense respect for both rugby union and rugby league.”
As the first contracted rugby league player to represent the Barbarians, last season’s Super League top try-scorer will don his Wigan socks.
“This is something I’ll look back on and appreciate, no matter how it unfolds,” he noted.
“I want to make an impact; I don’t aim to merely make up the numbers,” he added.
Hansen described Tomkins as “an interesting kettle of fish.”
“Coming from the other game adds an intriguing dynamic to his play,” Hansen commented.
“He’s showcased plenty of skill this year in his league performances for England. It will be exciting to observe what he does with the ball.”
Aside from Tomkins, another newcomer in the starting lineup is Crusaders center Robbie Fruean.
Barbarians Squad To Play Australia
Sam Tomkins (England RL), Bryan Habana (South Africa), Isaia Toeava (New Zealand), Robbie Fruean (Crusaders), Stirling Mortlock (Australia), Richard Kahui (New Zealand), Seru Rabeni (Fiji), Danny Cipriani (England), Peter Stringer (Ireland), Nemia Kenatale (Fiji), Keven Mealamu (New Zealand), Adriaan Strauss (South Africa), Salvatore Perugini (Italy), Sylvain Marconnet (France), Eusebio Guinazu (Argentina), Victor Matfield (South Africa), Simon Shaw (England), Marco Bortolami (Italy), Jason White (Scotland), Jerome Kaino (New Zealand), Adam Thomson (New Zealand), Mauro Bergamasco (Italy).
by Buford Balony
