Saturday 26th November 2011 KO 2.35pm
RUGBY WORLD CUP winning coaches, Graham Henry and Steve Hansen will end their spectacular year by coaching the Barbarians, who once again return to the home of England Rugby to take on Bronze Finalists, Australia on Saturday 26th November 2011.
The Kiwis will be working together again with and taking charge of a Barbarian squad for the first time as the famous touring club prepares to take on the Tri-Nations' champions Wallabies for the Killik Cup.
Springbok lock legend Victor Matfield will captain the Barbarians in the Killik Cup match.
The 34-year-old reprises his role of 2009 when he led the famous touring club to victory over New Zealand.
Packing down alongside Matfield are fellow Springboks, Bryan Habana and Adriaan Strauss, a host of All Black Rugby World Cup Champions in Keven Mealamu, Isaia Toeava, Adam Thomson and Jerome Kaino, and a smattering of players from France, Italy, Argentina, Ireland, Scotland and Fiji.
Representing the home turf will be Simon Shaw, 17 years after he was the member of an earlier Barbarian team that defeated South Africa. There is also an English flavour along the Baa-Baas back line, with former London Wasps fly half Danny Cipriani starting at No. 10 and England Rugby League star man Sam Tomkins on the wing.
Coach Graham Henry has selected Bryan Habana on the other flank to Tomkins, while Peter Stringer partners Cipriani at half-back in a Barbarians combination that features players from 10 different countries, with over a thousand test caps between them.
SQUADS
15 Isaia Toeva (New Zealand) 14 Sam Tomkins (England RL) 13 Robbie Fruean ( New Zealand) 12 Stirling Mortlock (Australia) 11 Bryan Habana (South Africa) 10 Danny Cipriani (England) 9 Peter Stringer (Ireland) 1 Eusebio Guinazu (Argentina) 2 Keven Mealamu (New Zealand) 3 Sylvain Marconnet (France) 4 Simon Shaw (England) 5 VICTOR MATFIELD (CAPT - South Africa) 6 Jerome Kaino (New Zealand) 7 Mauro Bergamasco (Italy) 8 Adam Thomson (New Zealand) BENCH: 16 Adriaan Strauss (South Africa) 17 Salvatore Perugini (Italy) 18 Jason White (Scotland) 19 Marco Bortolami (Italy) 20 Nemia Kenatale (Fiji) 21 Richard Kahui (New Zealand) 22 Seru Rabeni (Fiji)
15 Adam Ashley-Cooper (Tahs) 14 Lachie Turner (Tahs) 13 Rob Horne (Tahs) 12 Berrick Barnes (Tahs) 11 Digby Ioane (Reds) 10 James O’Connor (Rebels) 9 Will Genia (Reds) 8 Dave Dennis (Tahs) 7 DAVID POCOCK (CAPT - FORCE) 6 Scott Higginbotham (Reds) 5 Nathan Sharpe (Force) 4 Rob Simmons (Reds) 3 Salesi Ma’afu (Force) 2 Tatafu Polota Nau (Tahs) 1 James Slipper (Reds) BENCH: 16 Stephen Moore (Brumbies) 17 Ben Alexander (Brumbies) 18 James Horwill (Reds) 19 Radike Samo (Reds) 20 Matt Hodgson (Force) 21 Nick Phipps (Rebels) 22 Ben Tapuai (Reds)
To complete a mouthwatering day of top-class international rugby at the stadium, the Barbarians v Australia match will be followed at 5.00pm by a repeat of the 2010 Women's World Cup final when England take on New Zealand.
COMPETITION
Rugby Unplugged have secured a pair of tickets for this exciting game as a competition prize for two lucky readers. So if you fancy your luck, click below to enter the competition...
TICKETS*
Tickets are on sale via the RFU and Ticketmaster. Group bookings are available by calling the RFU Ticket Office.
SATURDAY 26th NOVEMBER 2011
KO 2.30pm GMT
Adults: £35 - £65
U16s: £15
RFU Tkt Office,
Rugby Rd,
Twickenham TW1 1DZ
0844 847 2492
*Tickets may be subject to a booking fee.
ABOUT THE BARBARIANS
Many years ago, a group of players were chosen to form an elite team. They had no ground, clubhouse or subscription and membership was by invitation only. In essence, they represented a glorious concept brought to life by the vision and enthusiam of one man, William Percy Carpmael. Inspired by his personal playing experiences with both Blackheath and Cambridge University, his dream was to spread good fellowship amongst all rugby football players.The dream became reality on December 27th 1890 at Friary Field, Hartlepool. There, all things great about the game - flair, courage, spirit and passion - were encapsulated in one great team. A team they called the Barbarians.
WP Carpmael conceived his brilliant idea late one evening in 1890 in Leuchters Restaurant, Bradford, at a time when practically every club ceased playing in early March.There were no tours and players just "packed up" until the following season, but his scheme for collecting a touring side from all sources; to tackle a few leading clubs in the land, instantly received support from the best, and today this support is as strong as ever.
Carpmael's great idea that the Barbarian Club should be absolutely cosmopolitan with the aim of spreading good-fellowship amongst all rugby football players has been rigidly adhered to by those who have followed him in the management of the club. Membership is by invitation and the only qualifications considered when issuing an invitation are; that the player's football is of a good enough standard and secondly that he should behave himself on and off the field. There is no discrimination whatsoever by race, colour or creed.
