McCaw confirmed for Barbarians clash

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw will play for the Barbarians against Australia in the Olympic Centenary Match at Wembley on December 3.

McCaw, who skippered the All Blacks to Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup success with a 28-24 victory over Australia in Brisbane last weekend, will be part of a Baa-baas squad coached by South African Jake White.

White, the Springboks’ 2007 World Cup-winning mastermind, said: “It is a wonderful privilege for me to be invited by the Barbarians and to be involved in this very special match.

“Not every coach receives the honour of being invited to coach the Barbarians, and I am proud to accept. I am looking forward to the whole occasion tremendously.”

Barbarians president Micky Steele-Bodger added: “As well as these top quality players from overseas, we also have an agreement with Premier Rugby in England for the release of several players to represent us in this match.

“Our invitations will not stop there, and we are hopeful that top players from elsewhere in the British Isles will also be involved. We will have a truly international side to take on Australia.”

The game is to celebrate 100 years of the Olympic Games first taking place in London, and it will be the first rugby union fixture staged at the new Wembley.

A half-time parade is also planned, featuring British medal winners from last month’s Beijing Olympics.