Preview: Barbarians v Australia

Australia will try to gain some valuable pointers for the future when they face a star-studded Barbarians team at Twickenham on Saturday.

The Wallabies may have won this year’s Tri-Nations but a World Cup where they were well beaten in the semifinals by eventual champions New Zealand, having already lost in the group phase to Ireland, took much of the shine off.

Australia coach Robbie Deans is using the match against the Barbarians, which is not a full international, to give outstanding back row forward David Pocock a first chance to captain the Wallabies.

Pocock takes over from regular captain James Horwill, who is on the bench ahead of next week’s Test against Wales – the team Australia beat to finish third at the World Cup.

“It’s not new territory for him,” said Deans of his decision to make Pocock captain. He has been driving the group to a an extent and we thought it was a great opportunity to give him real experience.”

Pocock, 23, said the honour of leading Australia would not change his approach to the game.

“You have just got to lead a lot more by your actions, rather than inspire everybody by delivering a good speech or whatever,” the 39-times capped Pocock said.

Former New Zealand international Deans has also moved James O’Connor in from the wing to flyhalf in place of Quade Cooper, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the play-off win over Wales.

Deans could have installed the versatile Berrick Barnes, much praised after taking over as the main playmaker against Wales in Auckland following Cooper’s injury, in the No.10 shirt.

“We had the choice of Berrick or James and we opted to put James straight in the deep end so to speak by putting him at 10,” said Deans.

“He has worked at it this week and last week and his head has been spinning on occasions it would be fair to say because it is very different to playing on the end of the chain.”

The Barbarians, Rugby Union’s most famous invitational team and whose matches are generally known for witnessing more attacking rugby from both sides than a standard Test match, have turned what was threatening to become a lopsided end of year fixture into a genuine contest.

Last season they beat then world champions South Africa at Twickenham, having defeated New Zealand there in 2009.

This year they will be coached by New Zealand World Cup-winning supremo Graham Henry, with the starting side featuring several of his victorious All Blacks – including forwards Jerome Kaino and Keven Mealamu.

South Africa great Victor Matfield captains the side – in his last competitive match before walking off into the sunset of retirement – and pairs up in the second row with England’s Simon Shaw.

The Barbarians back division features England discard Danny Cipriani, now playing club rugby for the Melbourne Rebels and Springbok wing Bryan Habana.

Traditionally, the Barbarians include at least one uncapped player.

But as well as selecting Crusaders centre Robbie Fruean, this year they have also gone one better by picking England Rugby League international Sam Tomkins, who on Saturday will be playing his first game in the 15-man code.

A scheduling quirk means Tomkins will be facing the Wallabies just a week after playing for England in their Four Nations Rugby League Final loss to Australia’s Kangaroos.

“Playing them both in eight days is something strange for me,” Tomkins said. “I have massive respect for rugby union as well as rugby league.”

Players to Watch:

For the Barbarians: It is his last competitive game before retirement, so the spotlight will be firmly on Springbok legend Victor Matfield and you will have some sympathy, hoping for a fitting farewell. You will also look to see how rugby league star Sam Tomkins performs on the wing in his first game of union. There is veteran Stirling Mortlock in the centres, All Blacks Adam Thomson and Jerome Kaino in the loose forwards, with fellow Kiwi Keven Mealamu, to provide a touch of the World Cup-winning New Zealand team. And, not to forget, that Graham Henry will coach the BaaBaas before he too walks off into the sunset.

For Australia: Firstly, there is dynamic David Pocock, who captains Australia, and will be closely watched – equally by those who feel he sometimes get away with too much at the breakdown and those who admire his immense skills. The decision to play James O’Connor at flyhalf is an experiment that may will reap rich rewards.

Head to Head: The most intriguing of all the match-ups is at flyhalf – enigmatic Danny Cipriani (Barbarians) against James O’Connor (Australia) – both with oodles of talent. Then, we will, for the last time ever, see the line-out battle between two of the giants – literally and figuratively – of the game, Victor Matfield (Barbarians) against Nathan Sharpe (Australia).

Recent Results:
2009: Australia won 55-7, Sydney
2008: Australia won 18-11, London
2001: Australia won 49-35, Cardiff
1996: Australia 39-12, London
1992: Australia won 30-20, Cardiff

Prediction: You can expect plenty of exciting running rugby from both teams – the Barbarians by design, the Wallabies because they have picked a team that will look to entertain. Defence will probably not be at a premium either. However, it is the more youthful nature of the Wallabies that makes us think they will take it in the end. Australia to win by 10 to 15 points.

The teams:

Barbarians: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Sam Tomkins, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Stirling Mortlock, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 Adam Thomson, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Sylvain Marconnet, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Eusebio Guinazu.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Salvatore Perugini, 18 Jason White, 19 Marco Bortolami, 20 Nemia Kenatale, 21 Richard Kahui, 22 Seru Rabeni.

Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Will Genia, 8 Dave Dennis, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 James Horwill, 19 Radike Samo, 20 Matt Hodgson, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Ben Tapuai.

Date: Saturday, November 26
Venue: Twickenham, London
Kick-off: 14.35 (14.35 GMT)
Expected weather: Bright or sunny periods. Becoming windy. High of 14°C, low of 6°C
Referee: Romain Poite
Assistant referees: Andrew Small, Stuart Terheege
TMO: Graham Hughes

AFP and rugby365.com