The Wallabies will dive straight into the deep end in launching their domestic season against a powerful Barbarians team, coach Robbie Deans said yesterday.
Deans described the Barbarians’ invitational side as one of their best-ever combinations, armed with two current Wallaby backrowers, Phil Waugh and Rocky Elsom.
The Barbarians, boasting a total of 775 Test caps, will kick off the Wallabies’ domestic season of 10 international matches in Sydney today, culminating in the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup series against southern hemisphere rivals South Africa and New Zealand.
Deans, who is into his second year moulding the Australians into title contenders for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, said the Barbarians would be tough opponents, with several of their players wanting to prove something.
“They are going to be the complete package. It will be straight into the deep end from our perspective and in every way because they are seasoned internationals,” he said.
He said some of the players in the Barbarians’ lineup would try to prove that they can still play at international level, which would make them dangerous.
“Some are going back into international rugby,” Deans said. “There is an onus on them to show they can still cut it. There is nothing more intense than mate on mate. And they have points to prove as well.”
Waugh, the combative 77-Test nine-year veteran, was left out of the Wallabies’ squad and was named captain of the Barbarians, comprising a raft of Australia, New Zealand, English, French, South African, Irish and Samoan stars.
Waugh predicted a fierce battle at the breakdown with Elsom, New Zealander Jerry Collins and himself taking on the mobile Wallaby trio of Richard Brown, George Smith and debutant Matt Hodgson.
“Weight-wise, height-wise and size-wise we would have an advantage, but it’s going to be a quick game and mobility is important,” Waugh said.
Smith, one of world rugby’s great flankers backed by 96 international appearances, said the backrow that imposed itself on the other would provide its team with a significant advantage.
“They are pretty hard in the way they attack everything in the game,” Smith said of the Barbarian backrowers.
“You know Rocky likes to get out wide and take a lot of runs in that area. He is very deceptive when he does a dummy-and-go. Jerry is a very hard player in terms of attacking and running the ball,” he said.
“You know what you are going to get with Phil and I,” Smith said. “You are going to get guys who play hard at the ball. Like to link up with the backs.”
The international contingent will have controversial rugby league convert Sonny Bill Williams in the centers up against Wallaby skipper Stirling Mortlock.
The Barbarians will also have Irishman Geordan Murphy at fullback, All Black Luke McAlister taking on Matt Giteau at flyhalf, while England’s 2003 World Cup winners, Martin Corry and Josh Lewsey, will be making their international farewells.
It will be the 11th time the Wallabies have played the “Baa-Baas,” with the Australians winning their six most recent encounters.
The Barbarians’ match will help the Wallabies prepare for their next two internationals against Italy and a one-off Test against France later this month.
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