Barbarians
Nel named in BaaBaas squad
Monday, November 23
Cheetahs tighthead WP Nel has been named as the uncapped player in a star-studded Barbarians squad to face the All Blacks at Twickenham on December 5.
Many felt that the 23-year-old front rower was unlucky to miss out on a place in the Springbok squad for the world champions’ end-of-year tour but he’ll get his opportunity to play alongside and against some of the game’s biggest names in the blockbuster clash next weekend.
There are nine Springboks in the 22-man squad – five forwards and four backs – Wallaby stars such as captain Rocky Elsom and flyhalf Matt Giteau and Welsh trio Andy Powell, Leigh Halfpenny and Jamie Roberts to name but a few.
Taking charge of the BaaBaas is Italy coach Nick Mallett, who played for the Barbarians in 1979, assisted by Alan Solomons, who coached the club back in 2003.
Barbarians Squad:
Backs: Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Bryan Habana (South Africa), Joe Rokocoko (New Zealand), Drew Mitchell (Australia), Jamie Roberts (Wales), Jaque Fourie (South Africa), Morne Steyn (South Africa), Matt Giteau (Australia), Fourie du Preez (South Africa), Will Genia (Australia)
Forwards: Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa), Stephen Moore (Australia), Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa), W P Nel (Free State Cheetahs), Salvatore Perugini (Italy), Victor Matfield (South Africa), Danie Rossouw (South Africa), Carlo del Fava (Italy), Rocky Elsom (Australia), Schalk Burger (South Africa), George Smith (Australia), Andy Powell (Wales)
2 Bismarck
3 wp nel
4 ?
5 matfield
6 elsom
7 schalk
8 smith
9 du preez
10 steyn/giteau
11 habana
12 Roberts
13 fourie
14 rococoko
15 Mitchell
Probably an IRB plot to get Bok players injured. Just like the AB's without Carter and McCaw without Matfield, Du Preez, and Steyn the Boks chances of winning are reduced by as much as 50 %
I think hes doing a decent job with Italy at the moment. The seem to be getting better and better. Gone are the day of them getting a 100point score against them...
Does it really matter whether they play another game. The moment they land in SA next week the players will have to report to the S14 training camps. No time for rest then.
All the money will go towards building a new rugby team for England.