KEY POINTS:
Former Kiwi league star Sonny Bill Williams is being targeted by the Australian Rugby Union to play for the Barbarians in June next year, the Daily Telegraph reports.
Williams, fellow league defector Mark Gasnier and a host of ex-All Blacks are being lined-up for the match in Sydney, which was announced by the Australian Rugby Union yesterday.
While ARU chief executive John O'Niell did not give specifics on who they were chasing but the Telegraph reported Williams and Gasnier were top of their hit-list along with former All Blacks Luke McAlister, Aaron Mauger, Chris Jack and Carl Hayman who are now all based in Europe.
"In terms of their playing personnel, the possibilities for the Barbarians are enticing," O'Neill told the Telegraph.
"We're confident this Barbarians team will have showstopping appeal.
"The British and Irish Lions will be on tour to South Africa, but there are high-profile All Blacks and Springboks, current members of the World Cup semi-finalists Argentina, and some very well-known Australians tied to overseas clubs at present," Mr O'Neill said.
Williams rocked the league world earlier this year when he walked out just 18 months in to a five-year contract with the Bulldogs to join up with French club Toulon.
He was taken to court by the Bulldogs and the National Rugby League (NRL) but the matter was settled after he paid $750,000 to the club.
Gasnier also left the NRL mid-contract but his departure was conducted in a much more civil manner, with the former St George-Illawarra, New South Wales and Australia centre linking up with Paris-based Stade Francais, once St George had been eliminated from the finals series.
Gasnier's availability would depend on whether his team makes the final of the French Top 14 competition, which is played on the same day as the Barbarians match on June 6.
However, Toulon have struggled all season and have no chance of making the finals, meaning Williams' season will end on May 16.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
