Barbarians Leali'ifano to show Wallabies what they are missing

Christian Leali'ifano is eager to prove a point to the Australia selectors who left him out of the Wallabies' World Cup squad when he plays for the Barbarians against Samoa in London on Saturday.

The Brumbies star was left out of two-time champions Australia's final 31-man squad for the showpiece tournament, which starts in England next month, after losing out to Toulon playmaker Matt Giteau following the Wallabies' decision to ease their rules on calling up overseas-based players for Test duty.
But Barbarians coach Jamie Joseph, who will be in charge of a star-studded invitational side when they play Samoa in what will both be a first rugby union fixture at the Olympic Stadium and a World Cup warm-up match for the Pacific Islanders, is in no doubt of the 27-year-old Leali'ifano's talent.

"Christian is a quality player, I think the Wallabies are well aware of his abilities too," said Super 15-winning Highlanders coach Joseph on Friday.

"But it never hurts to show what you can do in the international arena.

"You never know when injuries can strike either, so whilst he hasn't been selected initially, stranger things have happened than him being drafted back in.

"So I'm sure he knows just how important it will be to have a strong game, and I know that he will be ready.

"I don't think it will be preying on anyone's mind -- but a good performance wouldn't hurt, that's for sure.

"World Cup squads are very difficult to balance, I haven't really put a lot of thought to the Wallabies squad in itself.

"It certainly speaks to their quality and strength in depth though, in that they felt in a position to leave some of that ability out of the 31."

Joseph added: "But we're delighted to have Christian with us and it will be extremely exciting to see what he can do.

"I'd say it's a nice second prize to be representing the Barbarians against Samoa in the first-ever rugby match in the Olympic Stadium.

"He's hungry, he's been training really well, so we'll just let him do his thing."
Source: AFP