Former All Blacks wing Rico Gear's making a one-off return as a player, named in the NZ Barbarians side to take on the Highlanders on Friday at Invercargill's Rugby Park.
Gear's in a cosmopolitan squad made up of 10 Southland players, three Highlanders squad members, six players from the remainder of the South Island, two players from the North Island and three Japanese players from the club Panasonic.
Southland head coach Brad Mooar will take charge of the Barbarians.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has named a strong side as they gear up for their final regular season home game next Friday against the Chiefs in Dunedin.
Highlanders:
Props: Kane Hames, Chris King, Ma'afu Fia and Scott Manson
Hookers: Liam Coltman and Ged Robinson
Locks: Jarrad Hoeata, Josh Bekhuis, Tom Franklin and Joey Wheeler
Loose Forwards: Lee Allan, TJ Ioane, John Hardie and Elliot Dixon
Halfback: Frae Wilson and Scott Eade
First-five Eighths: Lima Sopoaga and Hayden Parker
Midfield/outside backs: Jason Emery, Shaun Treeby, Phil Burleigh, Winston Stanley, Jayden Spence, Richard Buckman, Gavin Stark and Trent Renata
NZ Barbarians:
Props: Alex Hodgman, JP Keon, Morgan Mitchell and Ross Geldenhuys
Hookers: Brayden Mitchell and David Hall
Locks: Alex Ainley, Michael Fatialofa, You Youngman and Craig Smith
Loose Forwards: Gareth Evans, John Dampney and Bill Fukofuka
Halfback: Toby Morland, Nick Ealey
First-five Eighths: Willie Ripia and Broc Hooper
Midfield/outside Backs: Rico Gear, Tei Walden, Willis Halahalo, Yasutaka Sasakura, Keanu Kuhukura, Jamie Verran and Bryan Milne
Head Coach - Brad Mooar, Assistant Coaches - Hoani McDonald and Clarke Dermody and Managers - Leicester Rutledge and Mike Mannix
