The Baabaas acting as auditions

Alastair Kellock and Colin Slade will lead a Barbarians side full of shunned stars auditioning for Rugby World Cup 2015 reprieves, according to John Kirwan.

Head coach Kirwan believes the likes of captain Kellock and All Black duo Slade and Steven Luatua will fuel the Barbarians' fire against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

Scotland lock Kellock, fly-half Slade and flanker Luatua have all been overlooked for autumn Test action, and the Barbarians boss admitted he has tapped into that fury this week.

"Yes Al has a point to prove, and he's not alone in that," said Kirwan of his captain, who was omitted from Vern Cotter's autumn Scotland squad.

"Alastair has the right experience for our captain, and I needed someone to take control of the forwards.

"He's highly motivated and he was the ideal choice and he's been excellent, so I'm really happy.

"We've got a younger side this time: the team's a lot younger so that experience was important.

"We've got a few guys that missed out on their respective tours.

"And they are definitely in the mix: we're only a year away from a World Cup, so a lot of them are very motivated to put their hand up for international selection.

"That energy has driven things this week."

Kiwi out-half Slade slotted the winning conversion in New Zealand's 29-28 Bledisloe Cup victory over Australia, but was then left out of the All Blacks' touring squad.

Back-rower Luatua missed out too, with both men on boss Steve Hansen's stand-by list in case of injury.

Former All Black and 1987 World Cup winner Kirwan said few nations in the world would have the luxury of overlooking Crusders playmaker Slade.

"There would not be too many nations where a guy comes on to kick the winning goal and then doesn't make the tour," said Kirwan.

"Slade's definitely part of the All Blacks' bigger picture.

"They are creating this internal competition that's unique at the moment.

"So they have got quite a lot of depth in New Zealand, so this is a big opportunity for him.

"You obviously have Dan Carter coming back for the November Tests, which has cost him his place. He is like a few other players who have a point to prove."

Australia head north still beset by off-field problems after the Kurtley Beale text message saga that cost head coach Ewen McKenzie his job.

Kirwan has warned his Barbarians squad that the Wallabies will benefit from closing ranks and creating a siege mentality, under new boss Michael Cheika.

"I think it will galvanise them and I think that they will be coming out to have a real crack and make a statement.

"I also know Michael very well and so he will be keen to get back on the winning horse.

"For me it really amps up the importance of this game for them, which reflects in how we prepare and perform."

Every season the world-famous Barbarians are forced to justify their invitational tourist status in rugby's ever-increasing professional landscape.

Kirwan said the Barbarians must endure to provide an all-too-rare signpost to rugby's traditions.

"I think there's an old Maori saying that if you want to have hope and faith in the future, then you must stand on the shoulders of the past," said Kirwan.

"The game is quickly going very professional.

"We have seen an interesting few weeks in Australia.

"It is the first time in my career that there's been an interesting public exposure of things that has cost someone who I know and like a job.

"The game's changing very quickly so I think we need to keep moments like this in the game where we are playing for the love of the game.

"In Super Rugby we don't have after match functions anymore: I am a bit of a traditionalist so for me making moments in our lives in weeks like this is really important."

BARBARIANS TEAM: T Nanai Williams (Chiefs), F Halai (Blues, New Zealand), J de Jongh (Stormers, South Africa), F Saili (Blues, New Zealand), N Cummins (Coca Cola West Red Sparks, Australia), C Slade (Crusaders, New Zealand), T Cubelli (Belgrano Ath, Argentina), M Stevens (Sharks, England), J Parsons (Blues), A Ta'avao (Blues), 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). Replacements: M Schwalger (Chiefs, Samoa), T Du Toit (Sharks), L Adriaanse (Sharks), H Brussow (Cheetahs, South Africa), M Alemanno (La Tablada, Argentina), S Pretorius (Cheetahs), J Tuculet (Grenoble, Argentina), M Boshoff (Golden Lions, South Africa).