Slade swaps Blacks for BaaBaas

The Barbarians will hand New Zealand fly-half Colin Slade the chance to heap yet more misery on Australia at Twickenham on November 1.

Slade's last-minute conversion rescued a 29-28 victory for the All Blacks against the Wallabies last weekend, before Australia head coach Ewen McKenzie resigned.

Recalls to Dan Carter and Aaron Cruden have left Slade surplus to requirements for New Zealand's Northern Hemisphere tour - so the Barbarians have quickly pounced to secure his services instead.

Glasgow lock Al Kellock is another with a big point to prove; overlooked for Vern Cotter's Scotland squad, the 33-year-old has jumped at the chance to join head coach John Kirwan's Barbarians squad.

Playmaker Slade remains on standby for the All Blacks tour, so now the 27-year-old will keep himself sharp by turning out for the world-famous invitational side at Twickenham.

Australia should head north with Michael Cheika installed as their new head coach, after McKenzie fell on his sword in the wake of three straight losses and the Kurtley Beale text message saga.

Former Leinster and Stade Francais coach Cheika will bid to cut through the disarray sparked by Beale's suspension and the resignation of back-room staff member Di Patston, the subject of Beale's alleged incendiary text messages.

Australia face Wales, France, Ireland and England following their tour opener against the BaaBaas.

Barbarians head coach John Kirwan has completed his squad selection for the two-match run, against Australia and then Leicester Tigers at Welford Road on November 4.

Crusaders fly-half Slade is joined by New Zealand back-rowers Steven Luatua and Matt Todd, with Kiwi lock Dominic Bird also included.

New Zealand World Cup winner Kirwan will have a squad of 27 when the squad meets in London next week, including Matt Stevens and Nick Cummins.

South Africa front-rower CJ Van der Linde has been forced to withdraw through injury.

BARBARIANS SQUAD: Backs: T Nanai Williams (Chiefs), J Tuculet (Grenoble, Argentina), P Osborne (Highlanders), F Halai (Blues, New Zealand), J de Jongh (Stormers, South Africa), N Cummins (Coca Cola West Red Sparks, Australia), F Saili (Blues, New Zealand), C Slade (Crusaders, New Zealand), M Boshoff (Golden Lions, South Africa), T Cubelli (Belgrano, Argentina), S Pretorius (Cheetahs), F Tanaka (Highlanders, Japan).

Forwards: C Oosthuizen (Cheetahs, South Africa), M Stevens (Sharks, England), T Du Toit (Sharks), A Ta'avao (Blues), J Parsons (Blues), M Schwalger (Chiefs, Samoa), M Rhodes (Stormers), M Alemanno (La Tablada, Argentina), D Bird (Canterbury, New Zealand), A Kellock (Glasgow, Scotland), A Thomson (Canon Eagles, New Zealand), M Todd (Crusaders, New Zealand), S Luatua (Blues, New Zealand), H Brussow (Cheetahs, South Africa), J Botes (Sharks).