Giteau to captain Barbarians against South Africa
All Blacks Joe Rokocoko, Ma’a Nonu and Neemia Tialata have made the British Barbarians’ starting side for this weekend’s clash against the Springboks in London.
They join former All Blacks Chris Jack and Rodney So’oliao in the starting XV where Bay of Plenty and Chiefs No 8 Colin Bourke has also been given a run-on job at Twickenham.
There will be 10 Kiwis involved. Keven Mealamu, Daniel Braid, Andrew Ellis and Stephen Donald are on the Baabaas’ bench after helping the All Blacks win their fourth Grand Slam last weekend.
Australian Matt Giteau will lead the Barbarians. He will be making his fourth appearance for the club having previously been part of Barbarians' victories over the Springboks in 2007 and the All Blacks last December.
"I feel very honoured to be invited by the committee and coaching staff to captain the team on such a big occasion. Hopefully we can repeat the performances of recent years and providing a fitting end to a very busy month of international and representative rugby," Giteau said.
Bourke and Stormers captain Anton van Zyl are the two uncapped players in the Barbarians side.
BRITISH BARBARIANS: 15 James O'Connor; 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Drew Mitchell; 10 Matt Giteau (c), 9 Will Genia; 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Rodney So'oialo, 5 Chris Jack, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Salvatore Perugini. Reserves: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 John Yapp, 18 Quintin Geldenhuys, 19 Daniel Braid, 20 Andrew Ellis, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Seru Rabini.