Mallett to coach Baa-Baas

At the end of their European tour the Wallabies are scheduled to play the Barbarians on 29 November. They have a new coach in Nick Mallett.

Mallett's name seems to get mentioned whenever there is a coaching vacancy of any sort around the world. This time it is happening. He will be doing the job Australian Bob Dwyer has been doing in recent times.

Mallett is himself a Barbarian. He played for them against Leicester at soggy Welford Road in 1980 when the Barbarians won 9-8.

In fact he is a twofold Barbarian, having played for the Cape Barbarians when they beat the Springboks on an internal tour in 1985.

Mallett says that the opportunities to "coach" the Barbarians are extremely limited.

He said: "We meet on the Sunday and play on the Wednesday."

There may just be time for some fun as well.

There is still uncertainty about the match. For a start Twickenham looks an unlikely venue. They have internationals there four weeks in a row and the Varsity match is down for the following Tuesday, 5 December

Secondly the release of players is dicey. Mallett has been over to England and a list of possible players has been drawn up.

"It's a wish list really," Mallett says, "as there is the matter of the availability of players.

"New Zealand is already looking to pull its players out of Super 14 and it may well take its players straight home. South Africa may do likewise."

But Mallett sees this as an opportunity to choose a side of young, exciting players and turning them loose to produce some rugby fun.