Kiwis accept Barbarians' invite

Kiwis Reuben Thorne and Justin Marshall were among eight players included in the Barbarians squad to face New Zealand at Twickenham next month.

Marshall revealed last week he had accepted an invitation to play for Bob Dwyer’s team and he will now be joined by Canterbury team-mate and former All Blacks skipper Thorne as well as Australians Matt Giteau, Brendan Cannon and Dan Vickerman and South Africans Danie Rossouw and Faan Rautenbach and uncapped Blue Bulls hooker Gary Botha.

Barbarians coach Bob Dwyer told www.rfu.com: “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 BaaBaas to the modern day player.

“All the players selected are outstanding but I would like to comment on Gary Botha, who continues the Barbarians tradition of featuring an uncapped player. Gary has burst onto the scene over the last few months. 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, and played an integral part in the cup win for the Blue Bulls.

“It is also exciting to consider the prospect of two former All Black captains facing New Zealand on the day. Reuben and Justin have a wealth of experience at international level and coupled with the other members of the squad, who include Matt Giteau, who was recently nominated in the IRB Player of the Year awards, I think the fans will enjoy an excellent spectacle.”

A total of 17 players have now been confirmed for the BaaBaas for the December 4 clash.

Squad: Mike Catt (London Irish and England), Chris Jones (Sale Sharks and England), Lote Tuqiri, Clyde Rathbone, Mat Rogers and Phil Waugh (Australia), Os Du Randt and Brent Russell (South Africa) and Thomas Castaignede (Saracens and France), Reuben Thorne (New Zealand); Matt Giteau (Australia); the uncapped Blue Bulls hooker Gary Botha, (South Africa); Brendan Cannon (Australia); Daniel Vickerman (Australia); Danie Rossouw (South Africa), Justin Marshall (New Zealand ) and Faan Rautenbach, (South Africa).