Kirwan names Saili and Halai in Baabaas squad

Frank Halai. Photo / Richard Robinson

The Barbarians head coach John Kirwan has All Blacks Adam Thomson, Francis Saili and Frank Halai in his squad to face Australia at Twickenham next month.

The 2011 World Cup winning flanker Thomson - who will play for Queensland Reds in Super Rugby next year - is joined by Blues duo Saili and Halai in the squad for the Killik Cup match on November 1 and the game against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road on November 4.

Kirwan has also called up Chiefs fullback Tim Nanai-Williams, Highlanders winger Patrick Osborne and Highlanders' Japanese halfback Fumiaki Tanaka.

Added to the forwards are Blues hooker James Parsons and Mo Schwalger of the Chiefs.

Earlier this month the Barbarians confirmed the recruitment of Australia wing Nick Cummins and seven South Africa based players in props Matt Stevens, CJ Van der Linde, Coenie Oosthuizen and Thomas du Toit, and back rowers Michael Rhodes, Jacques Botes and Heinrich Brussow.

Blues' coach Kirwan had stated his intention to add young players chasing test call-ups and Saili and Nanai-Williams are both backs who have impressed for their respective franchises this year.

Halai - capped by New Zealand in 2013 - and Osborne also fit the bill as powerful wings who will take the game to the Wallabies along with Nick Cummins, who has a cult following among Australian fans.

"Big Frank Halai is a real excitement machine and it's the same with Francis Saili - the wings are bigger than the locks," said Kirwan. "We've also got Nick Cummins operating in a roving role out wide."