Widely considered to be one of the finest yearbooks in world rugby, the unrivalled ‘bible’ of the South African game has definitively chronicled rugby in this country for over four decades. The latest issue, edited by Duane Heath and Eddie Grieb, raises the bar yet again with a host of previously unpublished facts and figures that will settle any pub or braai-side argument.

“The SA Rugby Annual has become essential reading for every player, coach, manager, administrator, sponsor, agent and fan,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of the South African Rugby Union (SARU) at a launch of the Annual in Cape Town earlier today.

The 2012 edition breaks new ground by reaching the shelves almost a month earlier than ever before, making it the perfect Christmas stocking-filler for any rugby-mad child, parent or grandparent – practically any sports lover who wants to know anything about South African rugby but who didn’t know where to go looking for the answer.

The 2012 SA Rugby Annual records the more than 200 first-class matches involving South African teams in 2011, as well as the detailed biographies of each and every one of the more than 750 players who appeared in those matches – for whom the book therefore doubles as an invaluable keepsake to be passed down to children and grandchildren.

The world’s oldest provincial competition – the Absa Currie Cup – provided a fairy tale finish to the year for the MTN Golden Lions, who romped home for their first title since 1999, and the 2012 SA Rugby Annual recognises the effect this match had on fans across the country.

The Annual publishes a unique list of all 898 men who have played in the biggest provincial match in South African rugby since the first final was held in 1939. The Annual also lists every player who has captained a team in an Absa Currie Cup final as well as their winning records.

The 2012 SA Rugby Annual paints an unbeatable picture of a dramatic year in South African rugby but also records the sport’s rich history with its comprehensive records section, which includes the career details of all 830 players to have worn the Springbok jersey since 1891 – from the very first, Benjamin Duff, to the newest Bok, Gerhard Mostert.

And just when you thought the 2012 SA Rugby Annual couldn’t chronicle the Springbok saga in any more detail, it lists the details of each and every one of the 743 matches the men in green and gold have played over the past 120 years – all 404 Test matches and 339 overseas tour games.

But the Annual doesn’t only cover the Springboks and the Absa Currie Cup – inside its packed 480 pages you’ll find detailed tournament reviews of everything from Vodacom Super Rugby and the Vodacom Cup to the FNB Varsity Cup, Coca-Cola Craven Week, HSBC Sevens World Series, National Club Championships and even the SA Women’s IRB Nations Cup campaign.

SA Rugby Annual 2012

Edited by Duane Heath & Eddie Grieb

Published by SARU & MWP Media

480 pages

RRP: R195

ISBN: 978-0-620-50685-4

Available from Exclusive Books, Bargain Books and most mainstream book retailers, or online at www.kalahari.com.

For more information please contact:

· Duane Heath (Editor): 021 785 6950 duane

Treu, team captain Kyle Brown, IRB Sevens Player of the Year Cecil Afrika and senior squad members Frankie Horne and Chase Minnaar spoke to the media at their team hotel in Nelson Mandela Bay, the new host city for the South Africa Sevens.

The 16 teams arrived yesterday in the city on two evening flights from Dubai via Johannesburg and today most of the squads either had outings to the nearby beach or chose to have a swim session in the hotel pool.

Treu was straightforward in his assessment of the team’s performances during the two previous HSBC Sevens World Series tournaments at the Gold Coast and Dubai. The Blitzbokke won the third match playoff two weeks ago in Brisbane but lost the Plate Final against Australia on Saturday in the desert city.

The South African Sevens coach said he realises his team is now under pressure to raise their game in front of their home fans.

“We are always under pressure to win and we approach every tournament with a winning attitude. We have left ourselves down by not playing to the standards we have set for ourselves,” said Treu.

He told his players to embrace the extra responsibility and expectation of the home supporters, something which his captain also referred to.

Brown said his team was definitely looking forward to enjoying themselves in their only home outing and to play for the very first time in the new Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Furthermore, Brown said most teams have now changed their approach to Sevens and that this was evident in the overall standard of play so far this season.

“You can see that teams such as Japan, Portugal and Russia have now switched on differently in terms of their approach. The teams are more professional and it makes it harder for everyone, which is good for the game.

“We are going to focus on how to harness the good vibe in The Bay so that, hopefully, it can help us when we play on Friday and Saturday. We only play once in front of our own fans and we owe it to them and to ourselves to raise our standard of play,” said the Blitzbokke skipper.

IRB Sevens player of the Year, Cecil Afrika, said he was fit and ready to play. “I’m good to go and hope to play to my part if selected. It is nice to have a few guys in the squad with Eastern Cape roots, like myself, Chase Minnaar and Steven Hunt. Nothing beats the feeling of playing at home,” said the South African Sevens playmaker.

Afrika missed the Dubai leg due to a rib injury sustained in Australia. He recently recovered from two facial injuries.

Nearly 30 000 tickets have been sold and fans can book their seat to Rugby’ Biggest Part of the Year at any Computicket outlet. Tickets are priced between R80 – R300 and include a Castle Lager SuperFan concert on Friday evening.

The selection follows the polished performance from the position given by the new Melbourne Rebels recruit during last weekend’s 60-11 win over the Barbarians in London.

Although he didn’t score a try, O’Connor directed operations skilfully, varying his running and passing game, while also kicking all eight placed goals that he struck as well as a wobbly but effective field goal.

The Wallabies backline starts in tact from that match, with inside centre Berrick Barnes having recovered from the blow to his back which forced him from the field at Twickenham.

He returns, with last weekend’s impressive Wallabies’ first-timer Ben Tapuai included on the bench, from where he will get to make his Test debut should he be pressed into action during the game.

Queensland Reds utility back Ben Lucas has also made the bench, as the replacement halfback, and will also be on debut should he be called on to take the field.

There have been 851 players thus far represent Australia in matches that have been accorded Test status by the Australian Rugby Union, the most recent of whom to gain a Test number was Queensland Reds winger (& Wallaby No. 851) Rod Davies, during this season’s one off match against Samoa in July.

This weekend’s game in Cardiff is the 533rd Test match to have been played by a team recognised as representing Australia.

Although 22 of the 26 players in the current touring party featured at the recent Rugby World Cup: Barnes, halfback Will Genia and winger Digby Ioane are the only players who will occupy the same starting backline positions on Saturday as they did during Australia’s 21-18 win over Wales in the Bronze Final at Auckland which closed out that tournament for both sides.

The forward unit boasts a more settled look, with the only change from Eden Park seeing locks Rob Simmons and Nathan Sharpe swap roles. This time Simmons will start, with Sharpe providing reinforcement from the bench.

After scoring two tries during a 30-minute cameo off the bench against the Barbarians, Tour captain James Horwill returns to the starting line-up this weekend, taking over the leader’s armband from last weekend’s successful first-time skipper David Pocock.

Pocock nonetheless looms as an important figure for the Wallabies against an opponent he has enjoyed significant success against in the past. This weekend, he will mark Wales captain Sam Warburton, who missed out on the World Cup contest between the two sides due to suspension.

Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says his side will have to be “at its very best” to subdue a Welsh outfit that will be buoyed by its Rugby World Cup exploits, while also fuelled by an additional motivation in looking to give long-serving winger Shane Williams a winning farewell as he ends his Test career after the match.

The fleet-footed Williams is already the leading try-scorer for Wales against Australia, scoring his fifth try against the Wallabies during the recent Bronze Final. That score was the 57th (a Welsh record) try that the 34-year-old has gathered from his 86 Tests to date.

“We experienced ourselves how powerful the additional motivation of playing for a mate can be, when ‘Sharpie’ [Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe] had his 100th Test in Auckland,” Deans says.

“There was no way any of the other players wanted to let him down. I’ve no doubts that the Welsh lads will be feeling just the same this week as we did in Auckland. Emotion plays a powerful role in competitive sport.”

Wales would also see this match as the perfect opportunity to kick on from the team’s World Cup advancement by knocking over an opponent ranked higher in the International Rugby Board standings, Deans noted.

“Warren [Wales coach Warren Gatland] will be looking for his group to push on from the World Cup,” Deans says, “and this match provides him with a perfect opportunity to do just that as a springboard heading into the next Six Nations.”

After winning just once from four visits to Cardiff between 2005 and 2008, Australia is on Saturday bidding for its third successive victory at the Millennium Stadium, and its fourth win in-a-row against Wales overall.

Should the Wallabies succeed, that would give the current side outright ownership of the second best winning sequence ever achieved by Australia against Wales, trailed only by the nine wins that were gathered between 1991 and 2003.

The Test will be broadcast live in Australia on both Fox Sports and free-to-air on SBS.

The competitive rivalry between the two teams, as was showcased at the Rugby World Cup, will after Saturday resume in Australia next year, with Wales due Down Under for three Test matches through June, playing in Brisbane, Melbourne and in a return to Tests at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The Qantas Wallabies team to play Wales for the James Bevan trophy at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on Saturday, 3 December (kick-off: 2.30pm local, 1.30am, Sun 4 Dec, AEDST) is:

15. Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs)

14. Lachie Turner (NSW Waratahs)

13. Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs)

12. Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs)

11. Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds)

10. James O’Connor (Melbourne Rebels)

9. Will Genia (Queensland Reds)

8. Ben McCalman (Western Force)

7. David Pocock (Western Force)

6. Scott Higginbotham (Queensland Reds)

5. Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds)

4. James Horwill (Queensland Reds, captain)

3. Salesi Ma’afu (Western Force)

2. Tatafu Polota Nau (NSW Waratahs)

1. James Slipper (Queensland Reds)

Run on Reserves:

16. Stephen Moore (Brumbies)

17. Ben Alexander (Brumbies)

18. Nathan Sharpe (Western Force)

19. Radike Samo (Queensland Reds)

20. Ben Lucas (Queensland Reds)

21. Ben Tapuai (Queensland Reds)

22. Anthony Fainga’a (Queensland Reds)

Australia v Wales – Historical Notes

• This is the 32nd meeting between the two sides. Australia has won 20 of the previous Tests and Wales 10, with the 2006 clash at the Millennium Stadium drawn 29-29.
• Australia has won the last three matches between the two teams – 33-12 in 2009, 25-16 in 2010, and 21-18 at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in October. Both the 2009 and 2010 wins were claimed in Cardiff. Prior to the 2009 success, the Wallabies had won just once from their previous four visits to the Welsh capital.
• Nathan Sharpe will feature in his 101st Test, and his 10th against Wales. This will tie David Campese as the fourth most capped Wallaby of all-time, while Saturday’s appearance will mean that Sharpe has featured in more Tests against Wales than any other Australian, moving beyond the nine appearances George Gregan gathered against that nation.
• The most tries scored by an Australian player in a single Test against Wales is two. This has been achieved by nine different players. Chris Latham and Michael Lynagh, who both scored four tries through their careers against Wales, have the most by any Wallaby against that country.
• Of the current players, Digby Ioane has three tries against Wales in Tests. This represents a third or 33.3 % of the 26-year-old’s total Test career try tally.
• Flanker David Pocock has scored tries on each of Australia’s last two visits to Cardiff. The tries represented the first two at Test level of Pocock’s career, and account for 50 % of the tries in his Test career to date, after he scored two in the Rugby World Cup Pool match against Russia earlier this year.
• 21-year-old James O’Connor will feature in his 37th Test on Saturday, one scoring play away from becoming just the eighth Wallaby to surpass 200 Test points. Fresh from a Rugby World Cup campaign where he finished as the tournament’s second highest point-scorer (behind South Africa’s Morne Steyn) with 52, O’Connor begins this weekend with 199 Test points to his name

Matt McILraith | Qantas Wallabies Media Manager

Qantas Wallabies Spring Tour 2011, Match #2 – Saturday 3 December, 2011

Australia versus Wales, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, 2.30pm

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

Introducing Wales

Nickname: The Dragons

National Emblem: The Prince of Wales (Three) Feathers

Home Union: Wales Rugby Union

Founded: 1881

Rugby World Cup Record: Semi-finalists 1987 (3rd), 2011 (4th), Quarter-finalists 1999, 2003, Pool participants 1991, 1995, 2007.

Current IRB Ranking: 8 (5 in 2004, highest)

Coach: Warren Gatland

Captain: Sam Warburton

On the web: www.wru.co.uk

Territorial Size: 20,779 km2

Population: 2,999,300

Capital: Cardiff

Language: English/Gaelic

Notable Landmark: The Severn Bridge – a key road link between England & Wales

Famous Citizen: Catherine Zeta-Jones – actress

Number of Clubs: 326

Registered Player Numbers: 50,557

A revitalized Wales appear poised to dismantle the established international order following recent wins over England (pre-World Cup) and Ireland, as well as gallant defeats by one-point against South Africa and France, and three against Australia during the Rugby World Cup. While still a relatively young side with an average age of 26 years per player, Wales retains a core of hardened pros who have experienced their share of success through two Six Nations Grand Slams from the last six championship campaigns. Australia has experienced the resurgence first hand during visits to Cardiff. Although the Wallabies have won more matches than they’ve lost since first landing in Wales in 1908, Australia has won on just three of its last six visits to the Millennium Stadium.

The Trophy – The James Bevan Trophy

The James Bevan Trophy was established in 2007 to commemorate the 100th year of Test Rugby between Australia and Wales. The trophy is named after James Bevan, an Australian born Welshman who was the first ever captain of the Welsh Rugby team. It is contested each time the two sides meet. Australia won the inaugural James Bevan Trophy in 2007 winning the series 2-0 on home soil, before conceding it to Wales a year later. The Trophy is now back in Australian possession after a 33-12 success at Cardiff in 2009. It was successfully retained after last year’s 25-16 win at the Millennium Stadium but was not at stake during the recent Bronze Final between the two nations at the Rugby World Cup.

The Last Meeting (Six weeks ago at a neutral venue) – Australia 21, Wales 18 at Auckland, 21 October, 2011

Australia collected the Bronze at the Rugby World Cup, while completing a third consecutive victory over Wales after a three-point success on a dramatic night in Auckland. Despite injuries playing havoc with Australian playing resources, the Wallabies held their nerve to bank the win, finishing it off with four minutes to go when Ben McCalman crossed to make the game safe at 21-11. The performance gave the Wallabies a positive end to the tournament, while cementing their world number two ranking. It represented a great show of character five days after the agony of losing a World Cup semi-final to the eventual tournament champions, New Zealand.

For Australia: Tries by Berrick Barnes and Ben McCalman; conversion and 2 penalty goals by James O’Connor; dropped goal by Barnes.

For Wales: Tries by Shane Williams and Leigh Halfpenny; conversion and a penalty goal by Stephen Jones, penalty goal by James Hook.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Australia: Kurtley Beale (replaced by Rob Horne, 9 min), James O’Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper (replaced by Anthony Fainga’a, 21 min), Will Genia (replaced by Luke Burgess, 68 min), Ben McCalman, David Pocock, Scott Higginbotham (temporarily replaced by Radike Samo, 30-33 min), Nathan Sharpe (replaced by Rob Simmons, 46 min), James Horwill (captain, replaced by Radike Samo, 70 min), Salesi Ma’afu (replaced by Ben Alexander, 60 min), Tatafu Polota Nau (replaced by Saia Fainga’a, 51 min), James Slipper.

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny, George North (replaced by Scott Williams), Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams, James Hook (replaced by Stephen Jones), Mike Phillips (replaced by Lloyd Williams), Ryan Jones, Toby Faletau, Dan Lydiate (replaced by Andy Powell), Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies (replaced by Alun-Wyn Jones), Paul James (replaced by Ryan Bevington), Huw Bennett (replaced by Lloyd Burns), Gethin Jenkins (captain).

The Last Meeting (in Wales) – Wales 16, Australia 25 at Cardiff, 6 November, 2010

Australia completed back-to-back wins against Wales in Cardiff for just the third time, scoring three tries to one in a comfortable nine-point victory. While the visitors had their challenges at scrum time, and were briefly threatened when Wales pulled back to 16-22, 10 minutes from time, the result was never really in any doubt, although the score-line was closer than the 21-point hammering that had been administered to Warren Gatland’s men at the same venue 12-months earlier.

For Australia: Tries by David Pocock, Kurtley Beale and Ben Alexander; 2 conversions and 2 penalty goals by James O’Connor.

For Wales: Try by Richie Rees; conversion by Dan Biggar, 3 penalty goals by Stephen Jones.

Halftime: Australia 7, Wales 6

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Australia: Kurtley Beale, Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Giteau (replaced by Berrick Barnes, 68 min), James O’Connor, Quade Cooper, Will Genia (replaced by Luke Burgess, 75 min), Ben McCalman, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom (captain), Nathan Sharpe, Rob Simmons (replaced by Mark Chisholm, 72 min), Ben Alexander (replaced by James Slipper, 62 min), Saia Faingaa (replaced by Huia Edmonds, 55 min), Benn Robinson.

Wales: James Hook, Will Harries, Tom Shanklin (replaced by Chris Czekaj, 75 min), Andrew Bishop, Shane Williams, Stephen Jones (replaced by Dan Biggar, 66 min), Mike Phillips (replaced by Richie Rees, 66 min), Jonathan Thomas, Sam Warburton (replaced by Martyn Williams, 66 min), Dan Lydiate, Alun Wyn Jones, Bradley Davies, Adam Jones, Matthew Rees (captain, replaced by Huw Bennett, 72 min), Gethin Jenkins (replaced by Paul James, 72 min).

Two Years ago (in Wales) – Wales 12, Australia 33 at Cardiff, 28 November, 2009

Australia concluded its 2009 autumn tour of Europe on a commanding note, recording its second biggest win in Cardiff as it trounced Wales 33-12. The Qantas Wallabies scored four tries to nil as they convincingly reversed the previous year’s defeat at the Millennium Stadium.

For Australia: Tries by Digby Ioane, David Pocock, James Horwill and Tatafu Polota-Nau; 2 conversions and 3 penalty goals by Matt Giteau.

For Wales: Penalty goals by Stephen Jones (3) and Leigh Halfpenny.

Halftime: Australia 23, Wales 12

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Australia: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes (replaced by James O’Connor, 60 mins), Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Drew Mitchell (replaced by Kurtley Beale, 70 mins), Matt Giteau, Will Genia (replaced by Luke Burgess, 79 mins), Wycliff Palu (replaced by Wycliff Palu, 70 mins), David Pocock (replaced by George Smith, 40 mins), Rocky Elsom (captain), Dean Mumm, James Horwill, Ben Alexander (replaced by Matt Dunning, 70 mins), Stephen Moore (replaced by Tatafu Polota Nau, 55 mins), Benn Robinson.

Wales: James Hook, Leigh Halfpenny (replaced by Andrew Bishop), Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Shane Williams (replaced by Tom James), Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel (replaced by Martin Roberts), Andy Powell, Martyn Williams, Dan Lydiate, Luke Charteris (replaced by Jonathan Thomas), Alun Wyn-Jones, Paul James (replaced by Duncan Jones), Matthew Rees (replaced by Huw Bennett), Gethin Jenkins.

The Last Meeting (in Australia) – Australia 31, Wales 0 at Brisbane, 2 June, 2007

It was decisive on the scoreboard, but the numbers disguised a much closer contest as Australia wrapped up the inaugural James Bevan Trophy series by blanking Wales in the second Test. The visitors had only fallen to an after the bell try in the first match in Sydney a week earlier, and threatened to go the distance again and give the Australians another uneasy experience after they held the Wallabies to a 6-0 halftime advantage the second time around. This time, Wales was unable to sustain the effort, falling away as Australia posted three second half tries to blow out to a deceptively comfortable winning margin.

For Australia: Tries by Digby Ioane, Drew Mitchell and Julian Huxley; 2 conversions and 4 penalty goals by Stirling Mortlock.

Australia v Wales head-to-head record

* denotes Rugby World Cup fixtures

At All Venues: Australia 20 wins, Wales 10 wins, 1 drawn

In Australia: Australia 8 wins, Wales 1 win

In Wales: Australia 11 wins, Wales 8 wins, 1 drawn

At Neutral Venues: Australia 1 win, Wales 1 win

Biggest Australian win (margin) at all venues: 57 (63-6) Brisbane, 1991

Biggest Australian win (margin) in Wales: 35 (38-3) Cardiff, 1991

Heaviest Australian defeat (margin) at all venues: 25 (3-28) Cardiff, 1975

Heaviest Australian defeat (margin) in Wales: 25 (3-28) Cardiff, 1975

Biggest Australian winning score at all venues: 63 (63-6), Brisbane, 1991

Biggest Australian winning score in Wales: 38 (38-3) Cardiff, 1991

Heaviest Australian defeat (by score) at all venues: 28 (3-28) Cardiff, 1975

Heaviest Australian defeat (by score) in Wales: 28 (3-28) Cardiff, 1975

Most points scored by Australia at all venues: 63 (63-6) Brisbane, 1991

Most points scored by Australian in Wales: 38 (38-3) Cardiff, 1991

Most points conceded by Australia at all venues: 29 (29-29) Cardiff, 2006

Most points conceded by Australia in Wales: 29 (29-29) Cardiff, 2006

Most tries scored by Australia at all venues: 12, Brisbane, 1991

Most tries scored by Australia in Wales: 6, Cardiff, 1991

Most tries conceded by Australia at all venues: 4, Cardiff, 1975

Most tries conceded by Australia in Wales: 4, Cardiff, 1975

Individual Player Statistics

Most appearances by an Australian player against Wales: 9, George Gregan 1994-2007 & Nathan Sharpe 2002-2011

Most points in a Test by an Australian player against Wales: 23, Michael Lynagh, Brisbane, 1991

Most points in a Test by a Welsh player against Australia: 14, Jonathan Davies, Cardiff, 1996 & Stephen Jones, Cardiff, 2005

Most tries in a Test by an Australian player against Wales: 2 by nine players.

Most tries in a Test by a Welsh player against Australia: 3, John (JJ) Williams, Cardiff, 1975

Most tries in a Test career by an Australian player against Wales: 5, Chris Latham, 2001-2007

Leading Australian Point-scorers against Wales

84 Matthew Burke

58 Michael Lynagh

47 Matt Giteau

34 Paul Mclean

28 Stirling Mortlock

Leading Point-scorers for Wales against Australia

59 Stephen Jones

36 James Hook

22 Neil Jenkins

Leading Australian Try-scorers against Wales

5 Chris Latham

4 Michael Lynagh

3 Marty Roebuck

3 Tim Horan

3 David Campese

3 Matt Giteau

3 Digby Ioane

Leading Try-scorers for Wales against Australia

5 Shane Williams

4 Gerald Davies

3 John (JJ) Williams

Most Australian Caps against Wales

9 Nathan Sharpe

9 George Gregan

8 David Campese

7 Tim Horan

7 George Smith

7 Mark Chisholm

6 Joe Roff

6 Phil Waugh

General Trivia:

The Man in charge: He was once Sean Fitzpatrick’s understudy seemingly forever. He was also John Mitchell’s flat-mate. But Warren Gatland has emerged from their respective shadows to establish himself as a bit of a super coach. After 140 games for Waikato between 1986 and 1994, and 17 non-Test match outings hooking the scrum for the All Blacks, Gatland began his professional coaching career with Irish province Connacht between 1996 and 1998. He then took on Ireland from 1998 to 2001, coaching against Australia during the 1999 Rugby World Cup. Gatland won 18, drew one and lost 19 while in charge of Ireland, before beginning a five-year stint as director of Rugby at London Wasps which helped re-establish the famous club as a genuine European heavyweight. While Gatland was in London, the club annexed the English Premiership three times (2003, 2004 & 2005) and also won the Heineken Cup in 2004. Gatland then returned to his native New Zealand, bagging the Air New Zealand Cup (NPC) with Waikato in 2006, and serving as Chiefs’ assistant coach in Super Rugby, before he returned to the international ranks with Wales in 2008. The Dragons had humiliatingly missed the quarter-finals at the previous year’s Rugby World Cup, but Gatland instantly turned their fortunes around, guiding Wales to the 2008 Six Nations Grand Slam. Wales returned from the 2011 Rugby World Cup having won 23, lost 24 and drawn one under the Gatland regime.

Four Play: The Wallabies will achieve their fourth straight Test win over Wales should they be successful at the Millennium Stadium this weekend. That would represent the outright second best winning sequence for Australia against Wales, trailing only the nine straight wins gathered between 1991 and 2003. The three wins in a row currently achieved have matched the three wins claimed in 2007 for the second best Australian winning sequence against Wales.

The Whizz Kid of Oz: 21-year-old James O’Connor will feature in his 37th Test on Saturday, one scoring play away from becoming just the eighth Wallaby to surpass 200 Test points. Fresh from a Rugby World Cup campaign where he finished as the tournament’s second highest point-scorer (behind South Africa’s Morne Steyn) with 52, O’Connor begins this weekend with 199 Test points to his name. He was the second youngest player to reach 100 Test points behind England’s Jonny Wilkinson.

A Fond Farewell: He has already scored more tries – five – against Australia than any other Welshman, and Shane Williams will be looking for a spectacular farewell as he bids adieu to Test rugby in the James Bevan Trophy match. A try-scorer at Eden Park in the Bronze Final, the 34-year-old has scored a Welsh record 57 tries from his 86 Test caps for the Principality, while also winning the 2008 IRB Player of the Year award after the team’s run to the Six Nations Grand Slam that year. He is also a two-time British and Irish Lions tourist.

The Magnificent Millennium: The Millennium Stadium, which was finally completed in 1999 after two years of construction, is the fourth largest stadium in the United Kingdom behind Wembley, Twickenham and Old Trafford. It has a capacity of 74,500 and was built on the site of Cardiff Arms Park. The construction cost the WRU £126 million, which was funded by private investment, £46 million of public funds from the National Lottery, the sale of debentures to supporters (which offered guaranteed tickets in exchange for an interest-free loan), and loans. Saturday’s Test will be the 82nd played by Wales at the stadium since its opening 12 years ago. From the previous 81 matches, Wales have recorded 42 wins, 36 defeats and three draws.

Did You Know?: Wales has only scored more than two tries against Australia once in 18 Tests since the 1987 Rugby World Cup match between the nations. Australia has scored three or more tries in eight of its last 10 Tests against Wales.

For Once the Numbers Lie: The performance by Wales in reaching the World Cup semi-finals represented a genuine resurgence by the national side and was recognized as such, especially as Wales had failed to even make the quarters at the previous edition of the tournament in 2007. Even so, the three losses Wales endured during the 2011 tournament also represented the most the country had ever suffered at a single World Cup.

The Lucky Charms: Wales has only twice beaten Australia since 1987 and Stephen Jones and Shane Williams featured in both of them. The ‘lucky charms’ were the only Welsh players to be on the field in both the 2005 and 2008 victories achieved by Wales. Nathan Sharpe was the only Wallaby to figure in both matches.

Sevens Heaven: Wales is not traditionally known as a Sevens haven, but the principality shot to stardom in 2009 when it took out the Rugby World Cup Sevens in the United Arab Emirates – sharing the podium with the championship-winning Australian women’s team at Dubai. Wales beat Argentina in the final after earlier having taken out traditional Sevens powers Samoa and New Zealand en-route to the decider.

source article from – Matt McILraith | Qantas Wallabies Media Manager

Qantas Wallabies Spring Tour 2011, Match 1 – Saturday 26 November, 2011

Australia versus Barbarians, Twickenham Stadium, London, 2.35pm

Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Introducing… The Barbarians RFU

Who are they: The (British) Barbarians Rugby Football Club is an invitation club that has been producing teams that play with spirit and adventure for 120 years. While the club has no official home ground, teams bearing its name and traditional black & white hooped strip have appeared at all of the major grounds in Great Britain. Players are selected to appear for the Baabaas on an invitation basis and are awarded life membership to the club on the date of their first appearance.

The Founding of the Barbarians: The idea for the club came one evening in 1890 at Leuchters Restaurant in Bradford in the north of England, and was the brain child of WP Carpmael. As the British season at that stage closed in March, his idea was to form an invitation team “from all sources” that would then play a number of leading clubs in the land. The formation of the team would allow players the opportunity to play alongside others who they would usually only see as opponents. So the Barbarians were born, and the concept has largely remained the same ever since.

Barbarians Traditions: Even though the rugby landscape has changed dramatically in the last 16 years, since the advent of open professionalism, the Baabaas have endeavoured to maintain a number of traditions. One is that the players almost always wear the socks of their own clubs in matches. Another is the tradition of fielding at least one player in major matches who has yet to be capped by an international side. Both the Barbarians and the Qantas Wallabies observed this tradition at Wembley in 2008, with the Baabaas fielding the uncapped Western Province (South Africa) flanker Nick Koster, while Brumbies lock Peter Kimlin made his maiden appearance for the Wallabies off the bench.

What’s in a name: There are various theories as to how the Barbarians got their name ranging from some classical authority who deemed it appropriate to give the club a name “dignified by the famous victory of Arminius over Varius and his legions in Germany some two thousand years ago” to that put forward by former club president Emile de Lissa, who thought it more likely the “Barbarian was chosen in defiance of those who would style all rugby players as just that”. The club’s first crest featured a skull and crossbones but this quickly gave way to the monogram the jerseys still carry today, of the letters BFC inter-twined.

A world wide phenomenon: Twelve decades on from its formation, the club boasts over 2800 members worldwide. All are judged to have been worthy of upholding the Barbarian motto instituted by the Right Reverend W.J. Carey (former Bishop of Bloemfontein and an original member) which is: “Rugby Football is a game for gentlemen in all classes, but for no bad sportsman in any class”.

The first matches: The Barbarians kicked off in 1890 with matches against the Northern English clubs, Hartlepool Rovers and Bradford. The club’s second tour in 1891 also took in matches in Wales. As well as fixtures against international sides, the Barbarians play a number of traditional club fixtures on an annual basis against the likes of Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and top English club Leicester.

The first international: Australia had the honour of being the Barbarians’ first full international opponent, when a match was arranged to conclude the Wallabies’ 1948 tour of Great Britain, primarily to raise money to help cover the touring party’s expenses for its journey home via Canada. A crowd of 45,000 jammed into Cardiff Arms Park to see the Baabaas defeat the Wallabies 9-6. The most recent match between the Baabaas and Australia, on the team’s historic visit to the Sydney Football Stadium in 2009, was the 11th match to have been played between the teams. Australia has won eight of these, including the last seven in a row.

The Baabaas as an overseas touring entity: The 2009 visit was the Barbarians first appearance in Australia, but the club has toured often enough, having dispatched teams to 25 different countries. These include Canada, South Africa, Russia, Zimbabwe, Spain, Japan, Germany, Portugal, Tunisia, Georgia, Italy and Argentina.

Matches against Test sides: Recent years have seen the Barbarians involved in more and more matches against full international sides. They regularly feature at Twickenham playing England, and usually host matches against the major Southern Hemisphere nations at the stadium as well. The Baabaas on Saturday are seeking a notable hat-trick, having beaten the All Blacks in London in 2009 and South Africa last year.

Where do the players come from: Over 25 countries have been represented by players in the Barbarians through the years. This includes Australia, where names such as David Campese, Michael Lynagh, George Gregan and Matt Giteau have been associated with the famous jersey. Media baron and former Irish and British Isles winger AJ (Tony) O’Reilly holds the record for the most tries in the Barbarians jersey. O’Reilly scored 38 tries for the Baabaas in 30 appearances between 1955 and 1962.

The Australian connection: The appearance of former Wallaby captain Stirling Mortlock at Twickenham with the Barbarians this weekend continues a strong Australian-association with the club. Mortlock, who is Australia’s fourth most capped Test skipper after leading the Wallabies on 28 occasions in Tests, was captain when Australia beat the Barbarians 55-7 at the Sydney Football Stadium two years ago. The Baabaas were led on that evening by the then 77-Test Wallaby Phil Waugh, who went on to play to Tests for Australia later that same season. The tradition of players turning out for the Barbarians against their own countrymen was started by an Australian – Sir Nicholas Shehadie, who achieved the rare honour of playing both for and against the Baabaas. Sir Nicholas opposed the festival club when the Barbarians played Australia at the end of the Wallabies 1947-48 tour of the UK, Ireland and France. This was the first time the Barbarians had been assembled to play against an international touring side. He then featured for the Baabaas a decade later, being invited to wear the now famous black-and-white-hooped jersey against his Wallaby team-mates.

The most famous match: Many would claim that the 1973 match when the Barbarians beat the All Blacks 23-11 at Cardiff Arms Park is the best display of rugby ever seen. Certainly it ranks up there with the ‘match of the century’ – the 39-35 thriller played out between Australia and New Zealand in Sydney 11 years ago. The Barbarians’ match included a try by Gareth Edwards which took play from inside the Barbarians quarter through seven different pairs of hands before the try was finally scored by the Welsh great in the corner at the opposite end of the field. The Baabaas were also the only side to beat the Springboks on their 1961 tour of Great Britain and Ireland, capturing the Springbok head – a trophy traditionally presented by the South African tourists to the first side to beat them when on tour – after a 6-0 win at Cardiff Arms Park. The last two years have seen the Baabaas beat New Zealand 25-18 and South Africa 26-20 on their Spring Tours.

Olympic Gold Medal Recalled: The historic match between the Qantas Wallabies and the Barbarians at London’s Wembley Stadium in 2008 marked the 100th anniversary of Australia winning an Olympic gold medal for rugby union at the 1908 London Games. Australia defeated Cornwall, who represented Great Britain, on that occasion. The Australian side which beat the Barbarians featured 11 players who were in their first year as Wallabies, including the second youngest ever Australian representative; James O’Connor, who handled the goal-kicking at Wembley. In All Black Richard McCaw, Springboks Bryan Habana and Schalk Burger and Welshman Shane Williams; the star-studded Barbarians combination of that night featured four of the last five IRB Players of the Year.

Southern Association: The Baabaas have a strong association with Southern Hemisphere rugby. The team has twice toured South Africa. It has also played New Zealand on 10 occasions (for two wins, alongside a draw and seven losses), and South Africa seven times – for four wins and three defeats. One of the best wins achieved by the Barbarians came against the Springboks in 2007, when they beat the newly crowned Rugby World Cup champions 22-5. That match was the last in charge of South Africa for the new Brumbies coach, Jake White.

The Coaching Connection: All Blacks coaches Graham Henry and Steve Hansen are following in the footsteps of 2007 Rugby World Cup winner Jake White, in taking on the Baabaas to play Australia. White, assisted by ex-Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, prepared the star studded Barbarians outfit that was defeated by the Wallabies at Wembley Stadium in 2008. Henry and Hansen were then on the losing side against the Baabaas a year later, as a Nick Mallett prepared Barbarians team beat the All Blacks. South African Mallett, then the head coach of Italy, also prepared the Barbarians when they beat the Springboks last year.

Beware the H-bomb: He might not have made much of an impact against the Wallabies playing for the Springboks this year, but Australia will still be on guard for some explosions from Bryan Habana this weekend. The flying 28-year-old, who has scored a South African record 40 tries from his 74 Tests (five of which have come from his 15 outings against the Wallabies); scored a hat-trick when he last graced the Baabaas jersey in the 25-18 win over New Zealand in 2009. Habana is being accompanied in London by the recently retired King of the second row Victor Matfield, who played his 110th and final Test during South Africa’s 9-11 loss to Australia in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final.

Barbarians Results against Southern Hemisphere Teams

1948: Beat Australia, Cardiff 9-6

1952: Lost to South Africa, Cardiff 3-17

1954: Lost to New Zealand, Cardiff 5-19

1958: Beat Australia, Cardiff 11-6

1961: Beat South Africa, Cardiff 6-0

1964: Lost to New Zealand, Cardiff 3-36

1967: Lost to Australia, Cardiff 11-17

1967: Lost to New Zealand, London 6-11

1970: Lost to South Africa, London 12-21

1973: Beat New Zealand, Cardiff 23-11

1974: Drew with New Zealand, London 13-13

1976: Beat Australia, Cardiff 19-7

1978: Lost to New Zealand, London 16-18

1984: Lost to Australia, Cardiff 30-37

1988: Lost to Australia, Cardiff 22-40

1989: Lost to New Zealand, London 10-21

1990: Beat Argentina, Cardiff 34-22

1992: Lost to Australia, London 20-30

1993: Lost to New Zealand, London 12-25

1994: Beat South Africa, Dublin 23-15

1996: Lost to Australia, London 12-39

2000: Lost to South Africa, Cardiff 31-41

2001: Lost to Australia, Cardiff 35-49

2004: Lost to New Zealand, London 19-47

2007: Beat South Africa, London 22-5

2008: Lost to Australia, London 11-18

2009: Lost to Australia, Sydney 7-55

2009: Beat New Zealand, London 25-18

2010: Beat South Africa, London 26-20

Western Force flanker David Pocock will captain the Qantas Wallabies for the first time after being named to lead Australia in Saturday’s match against the Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium in London.

The 23-year-old, who is a two-time nominee for the International Rugby Board’s Player of the Year, led the Force for the first time in Super Rugby earlier this year during the Western Australian team’s 27-24 win over the Melbourne Rebels in the final round of this year’s competition . He also led the Australian team at the Under-20 World Cup in Wales in 2008.

The Pocock appointment comes after Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans and his fellow selectors opted to start regular skipper James Horwill from the bench, in order to lighten what has been a heavy work load for the 26-year-old through the 2011 season.

Horwill featured in all 18 games of the Queensland Reds’ title-winning season in Super Rugby, and has subsequently sat out just two of the 12 Tests played by the Wallabies in the year to date.

“While he ended the Rugby World Cup with a bit of a shoulder niggle, James is in good nick, given the load that he has carried,” Deans says.

“We just felt that this was a good opportunity, both to lessen the load on James, while also giving David the chance to gain experience captaining the side.”

Deans says that Pocock already has a significant influence in on and off field decision making anyway, as a member of the team’s leadership group. Taking on the captaincy for this match simply offers him an opportunity to broaden his leadership skills, while also providing additional support to Horwill.

The new skipper will be surrounded by the core of the side which beat Wales 21-18 in the Bronze Final at last month’s Rugby World Cup.

One notable positional change sees James O’Connor start at flyhalf for the first time, after previously having appeared on the wing or at fullback.

The move had long been flagged as likely for the talented 21-year-old, with the Wallabies taking the opportunity to move the goal-kicking utility closer to the action in the absence from this tour of Quade Cooper, who has been the regular custodian at 10 this year.

O’Connor will play outside halfback Will Genia, and inside of NSW Waratahs playmaker Berrick Barnes, who will start at inside centre.

Barnes’ NSW Waratahs colleague Rob Horne also gains a starting role, although he completed all but nine minutes of the Bronze medal match in Auckland after replacing an injured Kurtley Beale.

That chance saw Horne slot in at centre, with the versatile Adam Ashley-Cooper moved to fullback, and is a formation that Deans has retained for this weekend’s contest.

Horwill’s relocation aside, the starting forward pack is the same as that which Australia fielded in its most recent Test outing.

The bench does show a slightly different look, with uncapped loose forward Dave Dennis and inside centre Ben Tapuai, both featuring amongst a five-forward, two-back, breakdown amongst the run on substitutes.

While Australia has a good recent record against the Barbarians, the squad has inside knowledge of the motivation the representatives of the festival club will bring to the game, with Ashley-Cooper, O’Connor and Genia all having appeared for the Baabaas during their win over the touring South African side last year.

Ashley-Cooper and Genia were also involved the year before, when the Barbarians beat an All Black side prepared by the men who have been directing operations for the Baabaas this week – All Black coaches Graham Henry and Steve Hansen.

“It’s an amazing tradition that the Barbarians have. Receiving the opportunity to play for the club on the big stage, in games like the one this weekend, is a huge honour,” Genia says.

“Being able to play in these games for the Baabaas is a privilege – because selection comes by invitation – but it also carries with it a huge responsibility to perform. Make no mistake, this is going to be a tough match.”

The Genia warning is echoed by Deans, who points to Australia’s experience against the Baabaas at Wembley Stadium on the 2008 Spring Tour, where the Wallabies needed a late try to squeeze home 18-11 in a dramatic contest against a star-studded Barbarians cast not dis-similar in quality to the line-up that has been chosen to represent the club on Saturday.

“They’re all proud men,” Deans says of the Barbarians group, “and they will be looking at this match as a great opportunity with no significant downside.

“The Baabaas results against New Zealand and South Africa in the last two years have shown what is possible, and what they can bring to the occasion. They’ve got class players all over the field who will play without fear or inhibition. That is going to make them a very tough outfit to beat.”

The Qantas Wallabies team to play the Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium, London on Saturday 26 November (kick-off: 2.35pm local, 1.35am, Sun 27 Nov, AEDST) is:

15. Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs)

14. Lachie Turner (NSW Waratahs)

13. Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs)

12. Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs)

11. Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds)

10. James O’Connor (Melbourne Rebels)

9. Will Genia (Queensland Reds)

8. Ben McCalman (Western Force)

7. David Pocock (Western Force, captain)

6. Scott Higginbotham (Queensland Reds)

5. Nathan Sharpe (Western Force)

4. Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds)

3. Salesi Ma’afu (Brumbies)

2. Tatafu Polota Nau (NSW Waratahs)

1. James Slipper (Queensland Reds)

Run on Reserves:

16. Stephen Moore (Brumbies)

17. Ben Alexander (Brumbies)

18. James Horwill (Queensland Reds)

19. Dave Dennis (NSW Waratahs)

20. Matt Hodgson (Western Force)

21. Nick Phipps (Melbourne Rebels)

22. Ben Tapuai (Queensland Reds)

Australia v the Barbarians – Historical Notes

• This will be the 12th match between Australia and the Barbarians since the foundation game in 1948 at Cardiff Arms Park. The Barbarians won on that occasion, 9-6.
• Australia has won its last seven matches against the Barbarians, and has won eight of the 11 games that have been played.
• The most recent match between the sides was at the Sydney Football Stadium in 2009 when the Wallabies beat the Barbarians 55-7 during a rare trip by the famous club to Australia. James O’Connor, David Pocock, James Horwill, Ben Alexander and Stephen Moore were all try-scorers for Australia in that match.
• The last match between the two sides in the United Kingdom was at Wembley Stadium, London, at the end of the 2008 Spring Tour when the Wallabies beat a star-studded Barbarians combination 18-11. Lachie Turner was a try-scorer for Australia in that match.
• While Saturday’s match doesn’t carry Test status, it will mark the first occasion that Western Force flanker David Pocock has led the Qantas Wallabies. Pocock previously led the Australian team to the Under-20 World Cup in Wales in 2008, becoming a senior Wallaby for the first time later that same year.
• Saturday’s match continues the strong association that exists between the Barbarians club and the three Tri-Nations countries of the SANZAR alliance. As well as its record against Australia, the Barbarians have played New Zealand on 10 occasions (for two victories, alongside a draw and seven losses), and South Africa seven times – for four wins and three losses. The Baabaas head into this weekend’s contest having beaten South Africa last year, and New Zealand the year before.
• All Black coaches Graham Henry and Steve Hansen will prepare the Barbarians for the first time. The pair won the Rugby World Cup in their home country last month. The 2008 Barbarians team beaten by Australia was prepared by Jake White and Eddie Jones, who had combined to win the Rugby World Cup with South Africa the year before.

Australia v Barbarians Results 1948-2009

1948: Barbarians 9, Australia 6 at Cardiff

1958: Barbarians 11, Australia 6 at Cardiff

1967: Australia 17, Barbarians 11 at Cardiff

1976: Barbarians 19, Australia 7 at Cardiff

1984: Australia 37, Barbarians 30 at Cardiff

1988: Australia 40, Barbarians 22 at Cardiff

1992: Australia 30, Barbarians 20 at Cardiff

1996: Australia 39, Barbarians 12 at London

2001: Australia 49, Barbarians 35 at Cardiff

2008: Australia 18, Barbarians 11 at London

2009: Australia 55, Barbarians 7 at Sydney

Afrika, also the current SARU Sevens Player of the Year, has recovered fully from his broken jaw suffered during the pre-season and will be in action at Skilled Park, the new home of Australian Sevens after the switch from Adelaide.

Branco du Preez and William Small-Smith are the two players who missed out on selection for the opening tournament of the 2011/12 Series season, which now consist of nine tournaments following the recent addition of Japan.

“We picked the best available team,” explained Paul Treu, the Springbok Sevens coach. “The new seeding and points format will bring a new dimension to how you approach each tournament and teams will simply have to be at their best if they want to stay in the hunt,” added Treu.

South Africa face Pool B matches against hosts Australia, USA and Japan for the Gold Coast Sevens, following the pool draw which took place at the beginning of November

The winners and runners up from each event will automatically be placed in Pool A and B respectively for the following tournament, before the draw for each pool is made, adding a new element to this Series.

“The USA is always a difficult customer while Japan is improving all the time. Australia will play with a huge amount of pride because it is their home tournament. New Zealand is always strong while Fiji, Samoa and England are formidable,” said Treu.

Last season South Africa ended the Series as the in-form team when they claimed back-to-back Cups in Scotland and England, which enabled the team to secure second spot on the Series standings behind New Zealand.

Treu has selected a balanced and settled squad for the opening tournament. Robert Ebersohn is back after a two-year absence while Chase Minnaar and Renfred Dazel have shrugged off their injuries which kept them on the sidelines for most of last season.

Kyle Brown and Frankie Horne form the core of an experienced forward division while Boom Prinsloo will be keen to add to his impressive performances of last year.

The last time Treu’s side faced Australia was in the Cup final in Edinburgh, one of the most pulsating matches of the 2010/11 Series. South Africa came from 28-7 and 35-19 behind to snatch a dramatic 36-35 victory, but Treu believes each match in Pool B will be just as tough as that against the hosts.

The Springbok Sevens team for round 1 of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Australia:

1. Chris Dry
2. Kyle Brown (captain)
3. Frankie Horne
4. Boom Prinsloo
5. Chase Minnaar
6. Paul Delport
7. Renfred Dazel
8. Mark Richards
9. Steven Hunt
10. Bernado Botha
11. Robert Ebersohn
12. Cecil Afrika

The fixtures on day one (to be televised live on SuperSport, with SA times):

06h47: SA vs. USA

09h53: SA vs. Japan

13h36: SA vs. Australia

It has been a fun 2 days over here so far. So now that I am connected again, Let me update you guys on how it has been going so far…

We arrived Sunday afternoon, after about 30+ hours of travelling. So to say we were frustrated by the time we got here was really a understatement. It strated in Cpt with the JHB flight being delayed, then the almost 17 hour flight to Atlanta, then thinking we only have a 3 hour flight to go to Bermuda from there, we got pulled back while on the runway about to take off.
Some battery charger decided to stop working, we had to taxi back to get it looked at. Luckily it was nothing major and time was made up on the way to Bermuda.

Weather has not been good leading up to this tournament, and even on Saturday they experienced some gale force winds, which totally destroyed the marquees that were set up at the field for the event, and the field itself damaged to a certain extent.

So on our arrival, we heard that the Sunday games, which were gonna be the start of the event, were all postponed until further notice. Needless to say, no one was really too phased by that, as we later learnt that our game was postponed as well , and with the new schedule, Games will start Tuesday (today) when NZ Legends kick off the event against the USA Legends. SA Legends will then play tomorrow (wednesday) against Argentina Legends for the start ouf our campaign

We have had numerous lunches, dinners, even braai’s in the last two days,with sponsors, friends, and fellow South Africans that live here. To put it bluntly, its been a absolute jol, and no one is complaining about it. We snuck in two training sessions as well, the first one was to get the legs going specially after the long trip, the second was to get the alcohol out of most of the guys system… Seriously though, when we work, we work hard. For some it was really hard work getting thru the hour session.

We have been watching the Argentina Legends putting in almost 2 training sessions a day since we arrived, and strangely enough, we fear that they might be at the wrong tournament. Is it really that serious? How about enjoying Bermuda for just a few minutes, and someone please tell them that we only play Wednesday, they might just burn themselves out.

I think all teams are looking forward to the rugby, but mostly, this is a legends tour, and its about really enjoying the surroundings, meeting up again with fellow legends from all over the world, and celebrating legendary careers. (including the game of rugby)

Each player has been handed a Scooter, which will be your means of transport the whole week. So whether you go out to a pub, function, or whatever, you go on that scooter. Now for me that is fun, expoloring the island on it, but as i have witnessed, it might not be a good idea when you go out boozing, to have to get on a scooter and make your way back home. Now the island is small, and getting lost is nearly impossible, but the danger lies in who will be the first to wipe out and right off the first scooter. So far, there has been no casualties, and the boys has been fairly good at riding those mopeds. Then again, its only day2 of the tour.

We just finished lunch with our sponsor CATLIN. Who supplied us with some great food, and a open bar… Yes i said a open bar, and its the day before our game, which means that it wont stop anyone from going all out. It was fun, but most of us are back at the hotel, before we head to the field to go watch the opening game NZ Legends VS USA Legends.

Will keep the updates coming, and with being connected, will be everyday on what is going on from within…

Egon Seconds

“I am Legend”

A strong Qantas Wallabies touring party, collectively boasting 634 Test appearances, has been announced today for the short tour of the United Kingdom starting later this month.

The 26-man playing group is composed, almost in its entirety, of players who recently competed in the seventh Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, where Australia beat Wales 21-18 to win the Bronze Final.

One change is in the front row where Western Force prop Pekahou Cowan returns.

Cowan was a member of the victorious Australian squad for the Castrol Edge Tri Nations Series, playing the most recent of his four Tests off the bench during the 39-20 win over South Africa at Sydney in July. He has taken the place of the injured Sekope Kepu.

Kepu is being given additional time to recover from the injury he sustained when accidentally poked in the eye by a team-mate during the Rugby World Cup semi-final.

Australia finished its Rugby World Cup campaign on a high note by beating Wales, which added to the earlier wins achieved over Italy, the United States of America, Russia and South Africa.

This performance enabled the 2011 Tri Nations champions to retain second position on the latest International Rugby Board rankings, rated behind only the Rugby World Cup winners, New Zealand.

The strength of the playing combination named for this tour is reinforced by the fact that the injured pair of fullback Kurtley Beale and flyhalf Quade Cooper are the only players from the starting XV that beat Wales, not to be making this trip.

It might only be a three week assembly, with just two games, but Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is anticipating a difficult tour, and says the squad has been selected accordingly with Australia’s best players included. The squad averages in excess of 24 previous appearances per man when the total number of Tests played is calculated across the whole playing group.

“While this is a relatively brief visit by current standards, both fixtures promise to be exceedingly demanding,” Deans says.

“We’ve just seen at the Rugby World Cup how much and how quickly playing resources can be taxed.”

With the Barbarians to be prepared by All Black coaches Graham Henry and Steve Hansen, and containing a star-studded list including five of the victorious World Cup New Zealanders, Deans says Australia’s visit to Twickenham has all of the ingredients posed by the toughest of Test matches.

The Baabaas have beaten New Zealand and South Africa in the last two years and will be determined to complete a hat-trick against the SANZAR nations, while avenging the 11-18 defeat suffered against a young Wallabies outfit at Wembley Stadium during the two teams’ last meeting in London four seasons ago.

The tour concludes seven days later in Cardiff, with the Wallabies’ 14th and final outing of the year, against Wales for the James Bevan Trophy.

Australia has won on its last two visits to Cardiff, currently holds the trophy, and beat Wales for the Bronze Medal at the World Cup, which will all only add to the home side’s expectation and motivation heading into the Test according to Deans.

“Wales were arguably the most improved side at the Rugby World Cup, and their expectations will have risen on the back of that performance,” Deans says.

“Warren [Wales coach Warren Gatland] has publicly stated their ambition to sit alongside the top ranked nations by beating them on a regular basis, and they will see this Test as an excellent opportunity to start that process, building on what they achieved in New Zealand.”

More than 50,000 fans attended the Millennium Stadium just to watch Wales’ semi-final defeat by France at the World Cup on the big television screens, and a passionate atmosphere awaits the Wallabies in front of what is sure to be a full house for Wales’ World Cup homecoming.

“This is the only Test match Wales will play for the autumn and you can guarantee that they will throw absolutely everything at it,” Deans says.

As well as Australia’s front-line of players, the squad includes three of the next generation of internationals: the Queensland Reds pair of centre Ben Tapuai and fullback Ben Lucas, and the NSW Waratahs loose forward Dave Dennis.

Although he didn’t feature in the Test side, Dennis was a member of the initial Wallabies squad of 40 named for the domestic Test season this year, winning his call up after an impressive end to Super Rugby with the Waratahs. The 25-year-old subsequently played for the Australian Barbarians against Canada during that assembly.

Dennis is now specialising as a loose forward, although he can double as a lock, as was evidenced during his inclusion on the 2009 Spring Tour where he appeared in the second row for the wins over Gloucester and the Cardiff Blues in the midweek tour matches.

Tapuai, an Australian Under-20 representative in 2008, announced his arrival onto the big stage with some hard hitting performances in the midfield during the Queensland Reds’ run to an inaugural Super Rugby title this year.

The 22-year-old, who had featured just four times for the Reds prior to 2011, subsequently earned a call up for the Australian Barbarians, performing strongly and scoring a try playing off the bench during the Baabaas’ 38-14 win over the Rugby World Cup-bound Canadians during the tournament warm up match at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast.

Lucas was unable to be considered for that fixture due to injury but had been on the selectors’ radar for some time, enhancing his claims with some sound performances from the back for the Reds during Super Rugby.

Now four seasons into his Reds career, the 23-year-old brings versatility to the squad, offering an option at halfback, flyhalf and fullback, as well as being a capable goal-kicker.

Deans says the new trio all warranted selection based on their form this year, and would bring freshness and enthusiasm to the touring group.

“It’s a great opportunity for the three of them to take the next step in their careers,” Deans says.

The World Cup squad members not able to be considered for the tour were fullback Kurtley Beale (hamstring), winger Drew Mitchell (hamstring), inside centre Pat McCabe (shoulder), flyhalf Quade Cooper (knee), No 8 Wycliff Palu (hamstring), flanker Rocky Elsom (hamstring), lock Dan Vickerman (shoulder), Kepu (eye) and halfback Luke Burgess who has left Australia to continue his career with leading French club Toulouse.

Winger Lachie Turner and flanker Matt Hodgson, who both joined the Wallabies in New Zealand as the replacements for Mitchell and Palu respectively, have been retained in the touring group.

With room for just two hookers in the travelling party, Queensland Reds rake Saia Fainga’a, who was Australia’s third hooker at the Rugby World Cup, has missed out.

The Wallabies will assemble at Coogee in Sydney tomorrow week before departing for the tour on Saturday 19 November.

The Qantas Wallabies Spring Tour Squad is:

Player Position State Age Appearances

Tour Schedule/Key Dates

Tuesday 15 November: Squad assembles in Sydney (Coogee)

Saturday 19 November: Squad departs for London

Saturday 26 November: Qantas Wallabies v Barbarians, Twickenham Stadium, London, 2.35pm.

Saturday 3 December: Qantas Wallabies v Wales, James Bevan Trophy, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, 2.30pm.