Wyatt Crockett to lead Barbarians as Rassie Erasmus names team to face Pumas
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 26: The Coach of the Barbarians, Rassie Erasmus looks on during a Barbarians training session at Latymer Upper School Sports Ground on November 26, 2018 in London, England. The Barbarians play Argentina in the Killick Cup match at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, December 1 2018. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images for Barbarians)
New Zealand‘s Wyatt Crockett will captain the Barbarians against Argentina in the Killik Cup match at Twickenham on Saturday (2.30pm).
The prop is a World Cup winner with 71 Tests behind him and the most-capped player in Super Rugby history after making 202 appearances for the Crusaders.
He leads a starting line-up that includes eight South African internationals and the famous invitation club’s squad includes representatives from eight countries in all.
Chiefs full back Jack Debreczeni — the traditional uncapped player in the starting side — lines up at full back with Tommaso Benvenuti (Italy), Tom English (Australia) and Leon Fukofuka (Tonga) joining three Springboks in the back line.
Crockett, Luke Jones (Australia) and Juan Manuel Leguizamon (Argentina) are part of a formidable forward contingent including South Africa’s captain Siya Kolisi.
The squad was augmented today by the arrival of Cardiff Blues tight head Anton Peikrishvili. The Georgia prop is on the bench instead of France‘s Alexandre Menini, who has been recalled by Lyon.
The Barbarians are taking on Argentina for the third time in their 128-year history.
The Pumas were beaten 34-22 at Cardiff 1990 but won the 2015 rematch 49-31. Lood de Jager is the sole survivor from the Baa-baas side that day.
Tickets to Barbarians v Argentina start at £20. Go to www.ticketmaster.co.uk/barbarians for details.
BaaBaas team to play Argentina at Twickenham on Saturday (KO 14:30)
Barbarians: 15 Jack Debreczeni (Chiefs), 14 Tommaso Benvenuti (Italy), 13 Tom English (Melbourne Rebels), 12 Damian de Allende (South Africa), 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi (South Africa), 10 Handre Pollard (South Africa), 9 Leon Fukofuka (Tonga); 1 Wyatt Crockett (New Zealand, capt), 2 Schalk Brits (South Africa), 3 Trevor Nyakane (Bulls & South Africa), 4 Luke Jones (Bordeaux Begles), 5 Lood de Jager (South Africa), 6 Siya Kolisi (South Africa), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa), 8 Juan Manuel Leguizamon (Jaguares)
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Anton Peikrishvili, 19 Sikhumbuzo Notsche, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Frank Lomani, 22 Jesse Kriel, 23 Elton Jantjies
