Barbarians coach Jake White believes that players who, like him, are new to being involved with rugby union's most famous invitational side will relish playing Australia at Wembley tomorrow.

All Black captain Richie McCaw, fresh from leading New Zealand to a grand slam with Saturday's 32-6 win over England at Twickenham, will make his first appearance for the Baa Baas alongside current and former Test team-mates Joe Rokocoko, Rico Gear and Jerry Collins.

Former South Africa coach White has included several of the team he helped guide to World Cup glory last year, including victorious captain John Smit, who will skipper the Barbarians.

Also in the line-up are Smit's fellow World Cup-winners Bryan Habana, Fourie du Preez, Schalk Burger, Bakkies Botha and Johann Muller.

On the bench are former Australia scrum-half George Gregan and dashing Wales wing Shane Williams, recently chosen as the International Rugby Board player of the year.

“The important thing is that a number of these players haven't played for the Baa-Baas — players like Richie, Bakkies Botha, Jean de Villiers and John Smit — and I think it is wonderful they get the opportunity to play alongside such wonderful players,” said White.

“A guy like Sean Fitzpatrick was a great captain of New Zealand but never got the chance to play for the Barbarians and I am sure he would have loved to play in a team like this.”

White and Australian assistant Eddie Jones, who played a backroom role in the Springboks’ World Cup triumph, have also upheld a Barbarians tradition by selecting Western Province back-row forward Nick Koster as the uncapped player.

The match has been organised as part of the British Olympic Association's celebrations of the centenary of the first Olympics in London, where the Games will return in four years’ time.

Australia took the rugby union gold medal in 1908 with a 32-3 victory over Great Britain, represented by the south-west English county of Cornwall.

Wallaby coach Robbie Deans is due to name his side on today.

Barbarians team: Percy Montgomery (RSA); Joe Rokocoko (NZL), Rico Gear (NZL), Jean de Villiers (RSA), Bryan Habana (RSA); Francois Steyn (RSA), Fourie du Preez (RSA); Richie McCaw (NZL), Schalk Burger (RSA), Jerry Collins (NZL); Johann Muller (RSA), Bakkies Botha (RSA); Cencus Johnston (SAM), John Smit (RSA, capt), Federico Pucciarello (ARG)

Replacements: Mark Regan (ENG), Rodney Blake (AUS), Chris Jack (NZL), Nick Koster (Western Province/RSA), George Gregan (AUS), Ollie Smith (ENG), Shane Williams (WAL)

AFP

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