Rugby: Slade called up to Barbarians

Colin Slade. Photo / Getty Images.

The Barbarians have called up last weekend's Bledisloe Cup match winner Colin Slade to take on Australia at Twickenham on November 1.

The New Zealand first-five converted a last-minute try in Brisbane to rescue a 29-28 win against the Wallabies.

Despite those heroics he was judged surplus to requirements by New Zealand for their Northern Hemisphere tour following the recalls of Dan Carter and Aaron Cruden.

But Slade will head north to take on Australia in the Killik Cup match after Barbarians Head Coach John Kirwan completed his squad selection for the programme which includes a match against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road on November 4.

In the latest additions, the Crusaders fly half is joined by New Zealand back row forwards Steven Luatua (Blues) and Matt Todd (Crusaders) as well as by lock Dominic Bird (Crusaders).

Also invited to join the squad are Scotland lock Ali Kellock (Glasgow), and the South African trio of centre Juan de Jongh (Stormers), scrum half Sarel Pretorius (Cheetahs) and fly half Marnitz Boschoff (Lions).

Three Argentina internationals are on duty against Australia before joining the Pumas' European tour. Full back Joaquin Tuculet, scrum half Tomas Cubelli and lock Matias Alemanno all featured in the 21-17 win over Australia in Mendoza earlier this month.

That gives Kirwan 27 players to work with when the squad assembles in London next week, including former England prop Matt Stevens and Australia wing Nick Cummins. CJ Van der Linde, though, has withdrawn following injury.

Barbarians squad

Backs (12)
Tim Nanai Williams (Chiefs)
Joaquin Tuculet (Grenoble & Argentina)
Patrick Osborne (Highlanders)
Frank Halai (Blues & New Zealand)
Juan de Jongh (Stormers & South Africa)
Nick Cummins (Coca Cola West Red Sparks & Australia)
Francis Saili (Blues & New Zealand)
Colin Slade (Crusaders & New Zealand)
Marnitz Boshoff (Golden Lions & South Africa)
Tomas Cubelli (Belgrano Ath & Argentina)
Sarel Pretorius (Cheetahs)
Fumiaki Tanaka (Highlanders & Japan)

Forwards (15)
Coenie Oosthuizen (Cheetahs & South Africa)
Matt Stevens (Sharks & England)
Thomas Du Toit (Sharks)
Angus Ta'avao (Blues)
James Parsons (Blues)
Mahonri Schwalger (Chiefs & Samoa)
Michael Rhodes (Stormers)
Matias Alemanno (La Tablada & Argentina)
Dominic Bird (Canterbury & New Zealand)
Al Kellock (Glasgow & Scotland)
Adam Thomson (Canon Eagles & New Zealand)
Matt Todd (Crusaders & New Zealand)
Steven Luatua (Blues & New Zealand)
Heinrich Brussow (Cheetahs & South Africa)
Jacques Botes (Sharks)