LOUISIANA: THE Queensland Outback Barbarians have named their run-on side for its first up match against New Orleans today.
The match kicks off at 10am today Queensland time.
The team is: Daren Breen, Brendan Bunyan (C), Lach Cossart, Sam Tweedy, Jacob Watson, Hamish Chrisp, Robert McKeown, Malaki Faoagali-Latu, Matt Langmack (VC), Philip Derksen, Alex Corlis, Ryan Furnell, Hayden Reid, Cody Saltmere and Pierce Saunders.
Coach Mick Smith said the starting 15 had been selected with a particular focus on proven performers.
"This will the first time this group has actually played together as a team so we have named the team largely on reputation," Smith said.
"We really don't know much about the New Orleans team but we are looking to counter the rush defence tactics they employed in 2012.
"The game plan is really to keep it simple. Get the ball down the field and play the game in the opposition's half."
The game will be played with an unlimited interchange meaning of all the 36-man squad should get a run.
New Orleans was the only team to beat the Outback Barbarians on the 2012 tour.
Captain Brendan Bunyan said the team was looking to restore the balance.
"We're definitely out for a win and to show what the Outback Barbarians are all about," Bunyan said.
"New Orleans is the first game if the tour and there is still plenty of dented pride over the 2012 loss.
"We're expecting some pretty tough completion, particularly in the first 10-15 minutes when both packs of forwards will be trying to dominate the structure of the game."
The Outback Barbarians will have had three training runs since arriving in the US on April 20.
The team will be playing the night game in its Diabetes Queensland strip, the tour's official charity.
Queensland Country Life's Mark Phelps is on the tour and will also provide coverage on Twitter.
Mark Phelps
Editor-in-chief of Queensland Country Life.
Editor-in-chief of Queensland Country Life.
