Bok scrumhalf answers BaaBaas' call
World Cup-winning Springbok scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar has completed the Barbarians squad to face Ireland and England this week.
The BaaBaas face Ireland at Thomond Park, Limerick, on Thursday (May 28) and England at Twickenham, London, on Sunday (May 31).
Apart from Pienaar, who became available after his Irish province Ulster suffered a dramatic 14-16 defeat to Glasgow Warriors in the Pro12 semifinals at the weekend, Barbarians head coach Robbie Deans also added other high-profile names like England international wing Ugo Monye, also with All Blacks forwards Brad Thorn and Jason Eaton.
The 80-times capped international, Pienaar, is the fourth Ireland-based player to make the 30-man squad – along with compatriot Zane Kirchner, who is joined by his Leinster teammates Jimmy Gopperth and Shane Jennings.
Other South Africans in the BaaBaas squad include Gio Aplon (Grenoble) and Wynand Olivier (Montpellier).
Monye, like World Cup-winning lock Thorn and Ireland flank Jennings, will be playing for the last time before retiring at the end of the season, and the Harlequins man is looking to go out on a high as the Barbarians celebrate their 125th anniversary.
"It's always a real honour to play for the Barbarians and to be able to do so at the end of my career will be something very special," Monye said.
"I want to go out on a high and my goal is to help this great club add to its list of victories against Ireland and England."
Deans, a former Australia head coach who also coaches the Wild Knights in Japan, has included three of his club players in the squad in the exciting shape of former All Black George Whitelock and Japanese internationals Ryu Koliniasi Holani and Yoshikazu Fujita.
Invitations were also accepted by a number of other star names including Lyon and Australia forward George Smith, Bayonne and New Zealand back Joe Rokocoko, and Cardiff Blues, Wales and British and Irish Lions duo Alex Cuthbert and Adam Jones.
After missing out on a place in England's World Cup training squad, Thomas Waldrom – the Premiership's top try-scorer this season – had also been confirmed, while Harlequins hooker David Ward also accepted an invitation.
Deans has called up players from 10 different countries with 786 international caps between them.
Barbarians squad:
Forwards: Matías Díaz (Pampas/Argentina), Jason Eaton (La Rochelle/New Zealand), Deon Fourie (Lyon), Shane Jennings (Leinster/Ireland), Pablo Matera (Pampas/Argentina), Konstantin Mikautadze (Toulon/Georgia), Ryu Koliniasi Holani (Panasonic Wild Knights/Japan), Adam Jones (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Rodrigo Capó Ortega (Castres/Uruguay), George Smith (Lyon/Australia), Saimone Taumoepeau (Castres/New Zealand), Rodrigo Tejerizo (Tucumán/Argentina), Brad Thorn (Leicester Tigers/New Zealand), Gerhard Vosloo (Toulon), David Ward (Harlequins), Thomas Waldrom (Exeter Chiefs/England), George Whitelock (Panasonic Wild Knights/New Zealand).
Backs: Gio Aplon (Grenoble/South Africa), Stephen Brett (Lyon), Tomás Cubelli (Belgrano Ath/Argentina), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Yoshikazu Fujita (Panasonic Wild Knights/Japan), Jimmy Gopperth (Leinster), Zane Kirchner (Leinster/South Africa), Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England), Wynand Olivier (Montpellier/South Africa), Ruan Pienaar (Ulster/South Africa), Tusi Pisi (Suntory Sungoliath/Samoa), Joe Rokocoko (Bayonne/New Zealand), David Smith (Toulon).
Fixtures:
Thursday, May 28: Ireland v Barbarians, Thomond Park, Limerick – Kick-off: 19.45 (18.45 GMT)
Sunday, May 31: England v Barbarians, Twickeham, London – Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT)
Exciting week ahead! Big honour being part of the @Barbarian_FC team this week!! #honour #privilege
— Wynand Olivier (@Wynand_olivier) May 25, 2015
From the 1st to every other time I'v been invited to be a apart of @Barbarian_FC team the felling hasn't changed one bit. #honor#privilege
— Joe Rokocoko (@J_Rokocoko) May 24, 2015
@Barbarian_FC Such a big honour to be part of the #Baabaas squad!! So excited for the week ahead. ????
— Deon Fourie (@Deonf) May 24, 2015
A young pup in prop terms but an absolute monster in human terms. Prodigious young Puma Matias Diaz #rugby #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 24, 2015
Muscular Dynamo in breakdown & galloping threat in loose – Deon Fourie #rugbyunited #rugby #Baabaas
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 24, 2015
Regular visitor to worst nightmares of defence coaches. Cerebral #rugby thinker & defensive lock-picker Ruan Pienaar #rugbyunited #Baabaas
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 24, 2015
