The Wallabies will play the Barbarians for the inaugural Nick Shehadie Trophy in their ground-breaking clash at Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday week.

Sir Nicholas Shehadie is a Wallabies legend, a former Test captain and a past Australian Rugby Union President whose links with the Barbarians reach back more than 60 years.

The trophy to be struck in his honour is recognition of an enormous contribution to Australian rugby and his historical ties to the Barbarians, who will add a further chapter to their rich tradition when they play in Australia for the first time.

Sir Nicholas played against the Barbarians on the Wallabies 1947-48 tour to the UK, Ireland and France.

It was the first time the Barbarians had been assembled to play against a touring international side.

Ten years later, Sir Nicholas made a second long tour to Europe as part of the 1957-58 Wallabies.

To mark his achievement the Barbarians invited the Wallabies forward to wear their now famed black and white hooped jersey against his Australian teammates.

He was the first player from a touring international team to turn out for the Barbarians against his own country.

"It was a wonderful honour," Sir Nicholas said on Tuesday.

"And to me, the Barbarians offer a wonderful experience for any player.

"You have the chance to meet and play with players from different countries, different cultures.

"I also remember that 1947-48 game where the emphasis from both teams, the Wallabies and the Barbarians, was to play open rugby. We committed to that.

"That desire to play running Rugby remains a great part of the Barbarians philosophy."

Sir Nicholas was one of Australian rugby's inaugural Statesmen last year and at the end of 2008 was also recognised by the International Rugby Board, receiving the Vernon Pugh Award for distinguished service to the game.

He is also acknowledged as one of the principal architects of the Rugby World Cup and bringing it to fruition in Australia and New Zealand in 1987.

ARU chief John O'Neill said Sir Nicholas was a great Australian citizen whose contribution to the game in this country and worldwide had been massive.

Three past and present Wallabies will have the chance, like Sir Nicholas, to play against Australia when they turn out for the Barbarians at SFS next week flankers Phil Waugh and Rocky Elsom and halfback Chris Whitaker.

The Barbarians will arrive in Sydney on Monday morning with a world-class team arguably boasting more caps than any touring side to visit these shores.

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