News: Collins and Betsen selected for Barbarians; All Blacks confirm SBW interest

30 March 2009

Toulon’s Jerry Collins and former French international Serge Betsen have both been picked to represent the Barbarians against England at Twickenham.

Ex-Montpellier scrum-half Justin Marshall has also been selected, along with former England captain Martin Corry and Wallaby Rocky Elsom.

Only five players have so far been named by the Baa Baa’s for the May 30 clash, with further announcements expected in due course.

Collins is becoming a Baa Baa’s regular and is also down to play in groundbreaking match in Sydney against Australia this summer. He will be joined in that game by club colleague Sonny Bill Williams, making his first return Down Under since his acrimonious transfer from league outfit the Bulldogs at the beginning of this season.

Williams’ inclusion – apart from putting bums on seats – is testament to rapid progress he is making in Union after his code-switch, something that has now been recognised by All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith.

Smith flew to meet Williams in France recently as the Toulon player pondered a contract extension from his current employers. Club president Mourad Boudjellal was keen to tie down Williams for a further three years, but the New Zealand born centre opted for just a one-year extension instead.

Now it has become clear that he was effectively told by Smith that he needs to be back playing club rugby in New Zealand by the end of 2010 to give himself a realistic shot of breaking into the All Blacks’ 2011 World Cup squad.

Williams recently made it clear that he would love to become an All Black, and it seems the national team now beckons after Smith’s flying visit.

Reports in the New Zealand press confirmed that Williams had held significant discussions with Smith about the possibility of returning to New Zealand, with the NZRU said to be monitoring his progress keenly.

Club colleague and former Auckland player Orene Ai’i said Williams was “playing great football” and making big strides in mastering his new sport.

“When he arrived in France he had a few niggles but now he’s over them and playing really well. He’s making improvements every week.”

Williams is learning from the very best in the trade with Toulon player-coach Tana Umaga overseeing his rugby union education.

The Sunday News quoted Williams’ manager Khoder Nasser confirming that returning to play for New Zealand in the World Cup was a “real possibility”.

He went on: “His options are wide open. Everyone knows that Sonny travels on a Samoan passport, so that’s one option. He spent the first 16 years of his life in New Zealand, so that’s another option. And by the time of the World Cup he could have qualified on residency to play for France.”

Williams – or SBW as he is known – played five Tests for New Zealand’s rugby league side before defecting to union.

Former All Black Christian Cullen, meanwhile, has spoken out against the NZRU’s decision to allow star players to have “sabbaticals” in order to cash in on their market value.

Traditionally the All Blacks refuse to pick anyone playing abroad, but they waved that rule to enable Dan Carter to take up a lucrative six-month stint with Top 14 side Perpignan – although it was cut short by injury.

“I think it’s dangerous,” he said. “You give Dan Carter that you have to give Richie McCaw the same opportunity, Ali Williams, Mils Muliaina. I think it’s setting a dangerous precedent.”

Cullen believes it will turn All Blacks into “mercenaries” and could damage the sport back in New Zealand.

“Personally I think it’s a dangerous move. It’s good for the players because they can go and make money and, as well know, rugby doesn’t last forever,” he said. “But on the supporters’ side it’s dangerous because the public want to watch the best players in the world. New Zealand could slowly become mercenaries – the overseas All Blacks come back and play Test matches and they’re gone,” he added.

Elsewhere, Biarritz’s Italian centre Andrea Masi has left the club and joined Pro D2 leaders Racing Metro 92 with immediate effect.

“After being contacted by Racing Metro regarding the transfer of Andrea Masi at the end of the season Biarritz decided to respond favourably to this request,” confirmed the Top 14 side.

The 28-year-old international will now rejoin his former Italian coach Pierre Berbizier at the Paris club as they seek to confirm their automatic promotion up to Top 14.

He has been allowed to join Racing as a ‘medical joker’ to replace their injured South African centre Greg Goosen.

Another team utilising the ‘medical joker’ rule is fellow Pro D2 outfit Albi, who have signed Samoan Dominic Feaunati from Beziers following injury to centre David Vaealiki.

Back in Top 14 Montauban have confirmed another round of contract extensions with Vilimoni Delasau, Jean-Philippe Viard and Johan Dalla Riva all signing on for two more years, with the latter having an option for a third.

Over in Brive the high-flying Correziens have confirmed that France Under-20 international Guillaume Namy has also signed a two-year deal.

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