Sonny Bill, two Aussies in Baabaas squad - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Sonny Bill, two Aussies in Baabaas squad

11/05/2009 10:31:54 PM Comments (0)

Sonny Bill Williams, two Australians and seven former All Blacks have been selected in the Barbarians squad to play England at Twickenham and the Wallabies in Sydney.

Williams, the former Bulldogs rugby league player who controversially bought out his contract to play rugby union with Toulon joins returning Australian flanker Rocky Elsom (Leinster) and rangy ex-Wallabies lock Justin Harrison (Bath) in the Barbarians squad.

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 Monday in the 24-player squad.

The Barbarians face England on May 30 and the Wallabies on June 6, their first game in Australia.

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.

Squad:

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), BJ 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).

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