3 Jun 2009

Waugh to captain Baabaas against Wallabies

6:08 pm on 3 June 2009

Sonny Bill Williams will start at centre in a star-studded Barbarians rugby team to face Australia on Saturday night in Sydney.

Wallabies stalwart Phil Waugh has been named captain in the team but most interest is on the New Zealand league convert.

The invitational team also includes the Wallaby Rocky Elsom, who's at No.8 after signing a new Australian Rugby Union contract to play for the ACT Brumbies for the next two years, as well as All Blacks Luke McAlister, Jerry Collins, Chris Jack and Clarke Dermody.

Justin Marshall's on the bench and former England captain Martin Corry will play his final game of top flight rugby.

Barbarians: Geordan Murphy (Ireland), Iain Balshaw (England), Sonny Bill Williams (NZ uncapped), Seilala Mapusua (Samoa), Josh Lewsey (England), Luke McAlister (NZ), Chris Whitaker (Aust), Rocky Elsom (Aust), Phil Waugh (Aust capt), Jerry Collins (NZ), Paul Tito (NZ uncapped), Chris Jack (NZ), BJ Botha (South Africa), Sebastien Bruno (France), Clarke Dermody (NZ). Reserves: Schalk Brits (South Africa), Greg Somerville (NZ), Martin Corry (England), Serge Betsen (France), Justin Marshall (NZ), Glen Jackson (NZ uncapped), Ben Blair (NZ).