Thorne and Giteau join Barbarians to face All Blacks

1.00pm

LONDON - Former All Blacks rugby captain Reuben Thorne and Australia golden boy Matt Giteau have been added to Bob Dwyer's Barbarians squad for the match against the All Blacks at Twickenham on December 4.

Dwyer, Australia's 1991 World Cup winning-coach, has also added All Black hafback Justin Marshall, Springbok Danie Rossouw and Wallaby hooker Brendan Canon to a squad now numbering 17.

Hooker Gary Botha, fresh from helping the Blue Bulls win South Africa's Currie Cup, extends the touring team's tradition of including an uncapped player in their ranks.

"The selection for the squad is coming together really well and I believe it will be one of the best Barbarian teams that has played over the last five years, which underlines the appeal of the Baa Baas to the modern day player," Dwyer said.

"All the players selected are outstanding but I would like to comment on Gary Botha. He was the 'best hooker in the Currie Cup', which speaks volumes for him considering the quality that exists in that position in South Africa.

"It is also exciting to consider the prospect of two former All Black captains facing New Zealand on the day.

"I think the fans will enjoy an excellent spectacle."

Twickenham has already sold almost 50,000 tickets for the non-cap match, which completes a month of action around Europe.

Thorne was replaced as New Zealand captain by Tana Umaga when Graham Henry took over as coach last year and was left out of the team that beat England twice in June this year and the squad who will play Italy, Wales and France in November.

Marshall, who has also captained New Zealand, was left out of the squad for the current tour.

Giteau has established himself as the first-choice Wallaby second five-eighth after an outstanding season and joins six other Australians in the squad.

Provisional squad: Mike Catt, Chris Jones (England), Lote Tuqiri, Clyde Rathbone, Matt Giteau, Mat Rogers, Phil Waugh, Brendan Cannon, Daniel Vickerman (Australia), Os Du Randt, Brent Russell, Faan Rautenbach, Danie Rossouw (South Africa), Thomas Castaignede (France), REUBEN THORNE, JUSTIN MARSHALL (both NEW ZEALAND) Gary Botha (uncapped).

- REUTERS

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