Australia set to open new rugby season with clash against Barbarians at SCG

[jargan83]

The title says SCG but article says SFS

Australia set to open new rugby season with clash against Barbarians at SCG

December 22, 2008

AUSTRALIA will open their 2009 season with an historic match against an international Barbarians side at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The Australian Rugby Union are promising "some of the biggest names in the game" will be part of the first Barbarians side to play on Australian soil.

The Wallabies' first game at the SFS in eight years will open their 2009 campaign on June 6, a week before the first Test against Italy in Canberra.

Australia has not played at the SFS since a 41-29 victory over the New Zealand Maori in 2001.

The one-off match will also be the first in the 60-year history of the Wallabies and Barbarians to be played in Australia.

Barbarians matches have traditionally been scheduled as tour finales for Wallaby tours to Europe, with nine games played between 1948 and 2001 before the concept was revived during this year's spring tour.

The Wallabies won that Wembley Stadium clash against a star-studded line-up 18-11 earlier this month.

"The success of that match hardened our resolve to finalise discussions with the Barbarians about them coming to Australia for the first time," ARU boss John O'Neill said in a statement.

"Those negotiations also ensure us a Barbarians side of real quality, one that will help deliver a new experience to Australian sporting fans, and at a ground where our national team has not played for almost a decade.

"We're very excited by this Barbarians venture. So too are the Barbarians.

"In terms of their playing personnel, the possibilities for the Barbarians are enticing.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html

[Happy]

hmm road trip?

[TOCC]

im not sure what players will be representing the Barbarians though, since its at the start of the july test period not many countries will be willing to release there players.

[James]

im not sure what players will be representing the Barbarians though, since its at the start of the july test period not many countries will be willing to release there players.

Could get a fair few ex-Aussie players who are playing in Europe perhaps or fringe Wallabies/All Blacks perhaps. Guys playing in Japan too.

[.X.]

hmm road trip?

I like your thinking Happy. I am in!

[jargan83]

hardly a road trip for you

[.X.]

about 100ks if I drive

[Thequeerone]

Can we replace JON 's symbol with a cash register ?

[jargan83]

about 100ks if I drive

ONLY 100

[blueandblack]

can we ban a certain referee from being in the ground?

[jono]

and in the country

[Elf1]

hmm road trip?

Hmmmm ver interesting thought

[TOCC]

Could get a fair few ex-Aussie players who are playing in Europe perhaps or fringe Wallabies/All Blacks perhaps. Guys playing in Japan too.

Yeah possibly, but the only world class player is latham, Elsom should be back In aus by then I think, with the rest being too old or too shit

Unless it involves class players from other countries it will be a dud
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[travelling_gerry]

Mark Gasnier and Sonny Bill Williams targeted for Barbarians team

By Paul Kent

December 23, 2008


FRENCH defectors Mark Gasnier and Sonny Bill Williams are being targeted as shock selections to play for the Barbarians against Australia in Sydney next year.

The Australian Rugby Union has announced plans for a Barbarians match to kick-off next year's representative season, with chief executive John O'Neill saying the Barbarians would have "showstopping appeal".

While former Wallabies such as George Gregan, Stephen Larkham and Toutai Kefu are among those being openly considered, behind the scenes the ARU is driving hard for Gasnier and Williams to be included.

Other drawcards include UK-based New Zealanders Aaron Mauger, Luke McAlister, Chris Jack and Carl Hayman and South African Percy Montgomery. Former Penrith captain Craig Gower, the form Australian in France's Top 14, is also a strong contender.

The availability of Gower (Bayonne) and Gasnier (Stade Francais) would depend on whether their teams make the finals. Both are in contention. The Top 14 grand final will be on the same day as the Barbarians match, June 6.

Williams' Toulon is struggling to avoid relegation and no chance for the finals, meaning his season will end on May 16. This gives him three weeks to be ready for the Wallabies-Barbarians match at the Sydney Football Stadium.

O'Neill was guarded during Monday's announcement but The Daily Telegraph can confirm Williams and Gasnier top the ARU hitlist.

"In terms of their playing personnel, the possibilities for the Barbarians are enticing," he said.

"We're confident this Barbarians team will have show-stopping appeal.

"The British and Irish Lions will be on tour to South Africa, but there are high-profile All Blacks and Springboks, current members of the World Cup semi-finalists Argentina, and some very well-known Australians tied to overseas clubs at present."

Gasnier's Stade Francais are currently second in the Top 14 while Bayonne is fourth.

Stade Francais coach Ewen McKenzie has said Gower is playing "exceptionally well" at inside centre after switching from rugby league.

The match will be the Wallabies' first at the SFS since a 41-29 win over New Zealand Maori eight years ago.

They will play a week before the first Test against Italy in Canberra.

More importantly, it will be the first time in 60 years that the Wallabies have played the Barbarians on Australian soil.

Usually Barbarians matches are treated as a tour ender for northern hemisphere campaigns.

The Wallabies recently beat the Barbarians 18-11 at Wembley to cap off their successful spring tour.

"The success of that match hardened our resolve to finalise discussions with the Barbarians about them coming to Australia for the first time," O'Neill said.

"Those negotiations also ensure us a Barbarians side of real quality, one that will help deliver a new experience to Australian sporting fans, and at a ground where our national team has not played for almost a decade."

The Wallabies have won seven of 10 games against the Barbarians since the first in 1948, including the past six.

Tickets go on sale next month.


http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html

[travelling_gerry]

Baa-baa Sonny Bill to rain on Origin parade


Jamie Pandaram | December 23, 2008

NRL defector Sonny Bill Williams is set to return to Australia in dramatic fashion by playing for the Barbarians against the Wallabies next year in the same week as league's showpiece event, State of Origin I.

Williams, Mark Gasnier and Craig Gower - all former NRL stars who now play club rugby in France - will be invited to play in the ground-breaking match at the Sydney Football Stadium on June 6 to kick off next year's international program. It will be the first time the Barbarians have played on Australian soil.

The timing is sure to get under the skin of league officials, who prefer to forget Williams's association with the game after he walked out on the Bulldogs in July in the most controversial code switch yet.

The first Origin match is to be played in Melbourne on June 3 but rugby could steal the spotlight with Williams's anticipated inclusion.

If the Kiwi is selected, it would herald his long-awaited return to Australia after secretly leaving the country - while contracted to the Bulldogs - to join Toulon. The Bulldogs and NRL took Williams to court but the matter was settled after he paid $750,000 to the club to free him of his contractual obligations.

Gasnier could be involved in the French Top 14 grand final that same weekend for Stade Francais, who are second in the French league, but Williams and Gower are genuine options for the Barbarians, along with a host of top-line international stars, including former Wallabies Chris Latham and Stephen Larkham.

Williams's Toulon club is struggling near the foot of the ladder, while Gower, who has been in fine touch of late for Bayonne at centre, would be available if his side does not qualify for the finals and he is not chosen to play for Italy, whom the Wallabies host a week after the Barbarians game.

ARU managing director John O'Neill refused to name specific players but the Herald understands the former league trio will be headhunted along with other high-profile figures, including All Blacks Aaron Mauger, Luke McAlister, Carl Hayman and Chris Jack, Springboks Percy Montgomery and Brent Russell, Japan-based former Australian skipper George Gregan and World Cup-winning English five-eighth Jonny Wilkinson.

Clearly, Williams holds the most appeal, even more so for the controversy surrounding his switch than his playing ability, although the prospect of watching him clashing with Stirling Mortlock and Lote Tuqiri is a marketing dream for the ARU, which must hatch innovative ideas to lure back dwindling crowds.

Williams is extremely keen to play for the Barbarians, and with Toulon unable to qualify for the French finals, he will be free from May 16.

The 23-year-old was to have represented the Barbarians against the Wallabies at Wembley Stadium on December 3 during their European tour but was unavailable due to a leg injury. It was that game, won 18-11 by Australia, that sparked the idea to bring the Barbarians here.

"The success of that match hardened our resolve to finalise discussions with the Barbarians about them coming to Australia for the first time," O'Neill said. "In terms of their playing personnel, the possibilities for the Barbarians are enticing. Without going into specifics, we're confident this Barbarians team will have showstopping appeal.

"The British and Irish Lions will be on tour to South Africa, but there are high-profile All Blacks and Springboks, current members of the World Cup semi-finalists Argentina, and some very well-known Australian players tied to overseas clubs at present.

"The Pacific Islands have a number of players based in Europe who thrilled a global audience at last year's Rugby World Cup. There is also a chance a number of extremely recognisable British and French players will be available."

The Wallabies have not played at SFS since a 41-29 victory over the New Zealand Maori opened the 2001 domestic season.

Australia first played the Barbarians in 1948, and the Wallabies have won seven of the 10 games.

After the Barbarians match, Australia will play Italy twice - in Canberra and Melbourne - before returning to Sydney to host France. Their Tri Nations campaign kicks off on July 18 with a match against the All Blacks in Auckland.

Australia v The Barbarians
June 6, SFS

Possible targets: George Gregan (Australia); Aaron Mauger, Luke McAlister, Carl Hayman, Chris Jack (New Zealand); Percy Montgomery, Brent Russell (South Africa); Jonny Wilkinson (England).

The one-off match will also be the first in the 60-year history of the Wallabies and Barbarians to be played in Australia. Barbarians matches have traditionally been scheduled as finales for the Wallabies' European tours, with nine games played between 1948 and 2001 before the concept was revived during this year's spring tour.

AAP

http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...e#contentSwap1