Rugby
Waugh to captain BaaBaas
2009-06-03 07:14
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Sydney - Veteran Wallabies flanker Phil Waugh was named on Wednesday as captain of a star-studded Barbarians team to meet Australia in Saturday's one-off rugby international.
Waugh was one of three Australians named in the Barbarians' XV, along with No. 8 Rocky Elsom and halfback Chris Whitaker.
Rugby league convert Sonny Bill Williams was named at centre and, with New Zealand lock Paul Tito, is one of only two uncapped players in the starting side. New Zealand-born Williams is a controversial figure in Sydney where he walked out on a contract with the Bulldogs rugby league club to play for the French rugby club Toulon.
The Barbarians starting lineup includes four former All Blacks - flyhalf Luke McAlister, flanker Jerry Colins, lock Chris Jack and prop Clarke Dermody. Four other New Zealanders, including former All Blacks halfback Justin Marshall, a veteran of 81 tests, have been named on the bench.
Barbarians coach Dai Young also named players from South Africa, Ireland, England, Samoa and France in his run-on team.
England captain Martin Corry, who was named on the bench, will be playing his last game of top-class rugby.
Barbarians: Geordan Murphy (Ireland), Iain Balshaw (England), Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand), Seilala Mapusua (Samoa), Josh Lewsey (England), Luke McAlister (New Zealand), Chris Whitaker (Australia), Rocky Elsom (Australia), Phil Waugh (Australia, captain), Jerry Collins (New Zealand), Paul Tito (New Zealand), Chris Jack (New Zealand), B.J. Botha (South Africa), Sebastien Bruno (France), Clarke Dermody (New Zealand).
Substitutes: Schalk Brits (South Africa), Greg Somerville (New Zealand), Martin Corry (England), Serge Betsen (France), Justin Marshall (New Zealand), Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Ben Blair (New Zealand).