Sonny Bill Williams included in Barbarians squad to play Australia

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13-05-09, 21:48
laura

Sonny Bill Williams included in Barbarians squad to play Australia

The Barbarians squad to play Australia and England has been announced with Sonny Bill Williams to be joined by two Australians and seven former New Zealand internationals.

Flanker Rocky Elsom (Leinster) and rangy ex-Wallabies lock Justin Harrison (Bath) will both return home for the clash at Sydney Football Stadium on June 6.

Backs Ben Blair, Doug Howlett, Justin Marshall and Luke McAllister and forwards Jerry Collins, Chris Jack and Greg Somerville were the former All Blacks announced in the 24-player squad.

Gordon D'Arcy and Geordan Murphy, who helped Ireland win their first Grand Slam since 1948 in the Six Nations championship, have also been picked after having been overlooked for the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa, which kicks off May 30.

The three English players in the squad - Iain Balshaw, Josh Lewsey and Martin Corry - all played for the 2003 World Cup-winning team.

The Barbarians captain will be announced when they meet up on May 26.

Backs: Iain Balshaw (England), Ben Blair (New Zealand), Gordon D'Arcy (Ireland), Peter Grant (South Africa), Doug Howlett (New Zealand), Josh Lewsey (England), Seilala Mapusua (Samoa), Justin Marshall (New Zealand), Luke McAllister (New Zealand), Geordan Murphy (Ireland), Sonny Bill Williams (Toulon), Dimitri Yachvilli (France).

Forwards: Serge Betsen (France), B.J. Botha (South Africa), Schalk Brits (South Africa), Sebastien Bruno (France), Jerry Collins (New Zealand), Martin Corry (England), Rocky Elsom (Australia), Justin Harrison (Australia), Chris Jack (New Zealand), Greg Somerville (New Zealand), Iestyn Thomas (Wales), Paul Tito (Cardiff Blues).

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html
13-05-09, 21:57
force addict

that is one fantastic line up!! what a great game this is gonna be.
shame about having schalk brits and bj botha...
14-05-09, 11:11
mudskipper

I'm looking forward to seeing SBW in the Wallabies vs BaaBaas....
14-05-09, 11:35
JediKnight

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudskipper

I'm looking forward to seeing SBW in the Wallabies vs BaaBaas....

To be technically correct, it will be the BaaBaas vs Wallabies.

Great to see that the BaaBaas are continuing with their tradition of selecting an uncapped player in their team.

Does anyone know whether BaaBaas matches are awarded as international test caps?
14-05-09, 11:38
jargan83

no it won't, I thought the home team is always listed first
14-05-09, 11:58
JediKnight

Quote:

Originally Posted by jargan83

no it won't, I thought the home team is always listed first

Order of importance....or likely victor!!!
14-05-09, 12:01
jargan83

Ah so your basing it on nothing then.....

The Baa Baa's may have a chance, not being hampered by any Scottish players is a good start. Although there is plenty of them to choose from looking at the Lions squad as well
14-05-09, 13:22
mudskipper

Quote:

Originally Posted by jargan83

Ah so your basing it on nothing then.....

The Baa Baa's may have a chance, not being hampered by any Scottish players is a good start. Although there is plenty of them to choose from looking at the Lions squad as well

there should be a few Scots with time on their hands to tour OZ.... Get their vitamin B levels up... bring a little colour to their cheeks...
14-05-09, 21:18
KenyaQuin

No test caps for Baabaas "tests".

The team's a beaut..can't wait..'Onya Baabaas.
15-05-09, 10:28
shasta

Quote:

Originally Posted by laura

The Barbarians squad to play Australia and England has been announced with Sonny Bill Williams to be joined by two Australians and seven former New Zealand internationals.

......and another dominant display from Ryan Cross tomorrow night should see him in a gold jersey to rattle SBW's ribcage as a welcome back to Oz.
22-05-09, 17:40
Evie

I am seeing the game the week before against England at Twickenham, very very excited about it, I think well worth the 25 pounds! And I can actually suport the Baa Baas as you will never catch me supporting England.
22-05-09, 18:12
welshrugbyfan

Better hope SBW doesn't get knocked out on Wednesday night on the undercard of the Mundine V Geale fight.

We might not see him at all and I really want to see him silence his critics and do well in Union.
22-05-09, 19:09
shasta

Quote:

Originally Posted by welshrugbyfan

I really want to see him silence his critics and do well in Union.

:eek:

Are you running a fever WRF? Maybe you should have a lie down. :P

As usual, with RL converts, I'll be interested to see how he'll go. But I won't mind if Sterlo or Crossy manage to smash him more than once.
22-05-09, 19:22
GIGS20

Sorry WRF, agree to disagree

Quote:

Originally Posted by welshrugbyfan

Better hope SBW doesn't get knocked out on Wednesday night on the undercard of the Mundine V Geale fight.

We might not see him at all and I really want to see him get split in half and embarrass himself in front of the entire country
22-05-09, 20:19
welshrugbyfan

Quote:

Originally Posted by shasta

:eek:Are you running a fever WRF? Maybe you should have a lie down. :P

I've got the swine flu I think.

He's just a kid (23?), yeah he did a bad thing with the Bulldogs a real bad thing but I don't want to kick him forever for it.

I hope he does well, he comes across as a genuine nice guy. Besides he's seen the light, our god (Bill) forgives all sinners once they see the light.
22-05-09, 21:00
shasta

Yeah, I'm well over that. Took about 2 minutes I reckon. Tell the truth, I hope he does well. He's an awsome player but not the sharpest tool in the shed. Was likely poorly advised about how to get to France and get out of his RL contract.

But I'd still like to see Sterlo line him up. :D
22-05-09, 21:33
jargan83

Quote:

Originally Posted by welshrugbyfan

Better hope SBW doesn't get knocked out on Wednesday night on the undercard of the Mundine V Geale fight.

We might not see him at all and I really want to see him silence his critics and do well in Union.

Given that he is with Khoder Nasser and Mundane (not a typo) I will assume that the opponent for the bout was picked to make SBW look good not becasue he is good tough fighter