Thirteen New Zealanders have been named by coach Robbie Deans in his 26-man Barbarians squad to play the All Blacks at Twickenham on Saturday.
Heading the list are wing Julian Savea, who starred in Wellington’s Mitre 10 Cup Championship final win over Bay of Plenty, fly-half Richie Mo’unga who scored 25 points in Canterbury’s Premiership final win over Tasman, number eight and Canterbury captain Luke Whitelock and lock Dominic Bird who was part of the Canterbury pack.
But also joining them from New Zealand will be: Otago flanker Dillon Hunt, Auckland and Hurricanes wing Vince Aso, Canterbury and Crusaders wing George Bridge, Hawke’s Bay and Highlanders utility back Richard Buckman and Canterbury and Crusaders scrum-half Mitchell Drummond.
Former All Blacks now plying their trade in the north, prop Ben Franks (London Irish), loose forward Steven Luatua (Bristol) and scrum-half Andy Ellis (Kobelco Steelers) are also included.
Former Springbok fly-half Robert du Preez is included after helping Western Province win the Currie Cup final in South Africa on Saturday.
Other South Africans in the side are former captain and hooker Adrian Strauss and loose forward Ruan Ackermann, who now plays for Gloucester, the side coached by his father Johan Ackermann.
Barbarians squad:
Forwards: Ruan Ackermann, Dominic Bird, Willie Britz, Sam Carter, Simone Favaro, Ben Franks, Dillon Hunt, Steven Luatua, Atu Moli, Kwagga Smith, Ruan Smith, Adriaan Strauss, Akker van der Merwe, Jacques van Rooyen, Luke Whitelock
Backs: Vince Aso, George Bridge, Richard Buckman, Mitchell Drummond, Robert du Preez, Andy Ellis, Richie Mo’unga, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Julian Savea, Nic Stirzaker, Harold Vorster
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