The Wallabies will attempt to win their frist Tri-Nations crown in 10 years without their most-capped forward after lock Nathan Sharpe was chosen in Australia's second-string line-up.

Sharpe will miss Saturday night's tournament decider against the All Blacks after being named captain of the Australian Barbarians outfit which will play Canada on Friday night at the Gold Coast's Skilled Park.

It's the second time this season the 96-Test second-rower has been demoted from the Wallabies 22-man squad after he was controversially overlooked for the previous clash against New Zealand two weeks ago.

Sharpe, 33, made a storming return last week in the 14-9 victory over South Africa in Durban to cement his place in Robbie Deans' 30-man World Cup squad.

But Deans has seemingly preferred fellow veteran Dan Vickerman and 22-year-old Rob Simmons to play alongside new captain James Horwill at Suncorp Stadium.

Simmons paid the price for a quiet display in the 30-14 loss to the All Blacks in Auckland but has since overcome a shoulder problem, while the Australian selectors are keen to see Vickerman have more time in the Test arena.

But it still leaves Sharpe in danger of missing out on notching the 100-Test milestone during the World Cup, with the Wallabies campaign kicking off on September 11 against Italy in Auckland.

Selector and ARU high-performance director David Nucifora will coach a Barbarians side which includes returning stars Berrick Barnes (concussion), Rob Horne (elbow), Drew Mitchell (ankle), James Slipper (ankle) and Tatafu Polota-Nau (knee).

All five have missed the Test season due to injuries but Deans has shown his high regard for their abilities by picking them in his World Cup squad.

The Springboks' 18-5 victory over a weakened New Zealand team in Port Elizabeth set up a classic duel for the Tri-Nations silverware.

The last time the Wallabies took the trophy was way back in 2001 when Toutai Kefu scored a last-minutetry to beat the All Blacks in John Eales' Test swansong in Sydney.

But Deans took little stock in New Zealand's blip against South Africa, as the likes of Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Kieran Read, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith were rested to be fresh for Saturday night.

"We won't be reading much into it," Deans said.

"We came well second at Eden Park. For us to think that something the South Africans have done has any way helped us would just be foolhardy.

"I believe we'll be better in what we bring to the game but well need to be as well."

Australian Barbarians: Lachie Turner, Rod Davies, Rob Horne, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Berrick Barnes, Nick Phipps; Pat McCutcheon, Matt Hodgson, Dave Dennis, Nathan Sharpe, Sitaleki Timani, James Slipper, Tatafu Polota Nau, Ben Daley. Res: James Hanson, Pekahou Cowan, Dean Mumm, Beau Robinson, Ben Tapuai, Luke Morahan, Mark Gerrard.

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