Gregan and O'Driscoll to lead hemisphere sides

Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll

LONDON - George Gregan and Brian O'Driscoll have been appointed captains for next month's tsunami charity match between the Southern and Northern Hemispheres.

Australian skipper Gregan heads a strong Southern team who were named today, including four All Blacks, three Wallabies and four Springboks.

Coach Rod Macqueen finalised his starting 15 and will name his reserves later this week as he waits on the availability of some Samoan and Tongan players for the match at twickenham on March 5.

Gregan got the nod ahead of All Blacks captain Tana Umaga and Springboks skipper John Smit, who were both named as his deputies.

"We are fortunate to have many leaders in the team and the players are very enthusiastic about the match," Macqueen said in a statement.

"We have assembled the best possible team to represent the south in what is sure to be an historic and entertaining match.

"We would like to thank the unions and also CEOs and coaches of the clubs and provinces who have released their players.

"They have recognised the magnitude of this cause and put the tsunami match ahead of their own competitions, for which they should be congratulated."

Gregan is joined in the team by Wallabies teammates Phil Waugh and Chris Latham, while Andrew Mehrtens, Carl Hoeft and exciting prospect Jerome Kaino complete the New Zealand contingent.

Last year's international player-of-the-year, Springboks loose forward Schalk Burger, Jaque Fourie and Victor Matfield are South Africa's representatives.

Fijian wingers Rupeni Caucaunibuca and Sereli Bobo will give the Northern defence plenty of problems and are joined by national teammate Ifereimi Rawaqa, while prop Omar Hasan is Argentina's sole contribution to the team.

Northern Hemisphere coach Clive Woodward gave a hint on his plans for the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand later this year when he appointed O'Driscoll.

He will be joined in the Northern Hemisphere team by fellow Irishmen David Humphries, Paul O'Connell and Malcolm O'Kelly.

Chris Cusiter, Simon Taylor and Gordon Bulloch, of Scotland, had already been named in the Northern team.

"We have a fantastic group of players that are being invited to play and I am looking forward to choosing the starting 15," Woodward said.

"It is important to get a top quality team to sell out this fixture.

"Well done to Rod Macqueen on those players that he has named to participate in what will be a wonderful occasion for a great cause."

The proceeds from the match will go to the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) to support its work in the long-term rebuilding of the Indian Ocean region devastated by the Boxing Day tsunami.

Southern Hemisphere: Chris Latham (Australia), Rupeni Cacaunibuca (Fiji), Jaque Fourie (South Africa), TANA UMAGA (vice-captain, NZ), Sereli Bobo (Fiji), ANDREW MEHRTENS (NZ), George Gregan (captain, Australia), JEROME KAINO (NZ), Phil Waugh (Australia), Schalk Burger (South Africa), Ifereimi Rawaqa (Fiji), Victor Matfield (South Africa), CARL HOEFT (NZ), John Smit (vice-captain, South Africa), Omar Hasan (Argentina).

- AAP