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Giteau to captain BaaBaas

London - Australia's Matt Giteau has a chance to make up for losing his Wallabies place by leading the Barbarians in their MasterCard Trophy match against South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday, reports The Telegraph.

Giteau will be joined at halfback with fellow Wallaby Will Genia in a team packed full of international stars including Australian superstar James O'Connor.

Wallaby duo Drew Mitchell and Adam Ashley-Cooper and All Black Joe Rococoko, who all had disappointing outings at Twickenham this autumn, have a chance to make amends in the backs, while up front Stephen Moore and Neemia Tialata add some Australasian beef to the team.

Salvatore Perugini of Italy and Martyn Williams of Wales represent the Six Nations and two uncapped players, New Zealand No. 8 Colin Bourke from the Chiefs and Western Province captain and second row Anton van Zyl are also involved from the start.

Keven Mealamu, banned for two weeks for an alleged headbutt on Lewis Moody at Twickenham, returns to the scene of his misdemeanour on the bench with fellow Kiwis Daniel Braid, Andy Ellis and Stephen Donald.

Of his selection as captain, Giteau said: "This is a great honour and I am deeply grateful to the Barbarians committee for the confidence they have shown in me."

It is Giteau's third appearance in four years for the Barbarians, after he tasted victory against South Africa and New Zealand, but his first as captain.

Giteau lost his place in the Wallabies team to Berrick Barnes after the 35-18 loss to England at Twickenham and missed out on selection for Tests against Italy and France.

Teams


Barbarians: James O'Connor (Aus), Joe Rococoko (NZ), Drew Mitchell (Aus), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Aus), Ma'a Nonu (NZ), Matt Giteau (Aus, capt), Will Genia (Aus), Salvatore Perugini (It), Stephen Moore (Aus), Neemia Tialata (NZ), Anton van Zyl (Stormers), Chris Jack (NZ), Rodney So'oialo (NZ), Martyn Williams (Wales), Colin Bourke (Chiefs).

Replacements: Keven Mealamu (NZ), John Yapp (Wales), Quintin Geldenhuys (It), Daniel Braid (NZ), Andy Ellis (NZ), Stephen Donald (NZ), Seru Rabeni (Fij).

South Africa
TBA

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