New Zealand rugby
Former All Blacks join Barbarians squad
May 8, 2013
All Blacks winger Joe Rokocoko, New Zealand v Australia, Tri-Nations, AMI Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand, August 7, 2010
Joe Rokocoko played 68 Tests for the All Blacks © Getty Images
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Tournaments/Tours: British and Irish Lions tour

Former All Blacks wing Joe Rokocoko has been included in the Barbarians side to play England and the British & Irish Lions.

Rokocoko joins former international team-mate Nick Evans in the invitation team for both games, against England at Twickenham on May 26 and the Lions in Hong Kong in June.

The Hong Kong match will be the first for the Lions before they embark on their tour of Australia.

The team also includes New Zealander Jared Payne, who is one of two uncapped players traditionally picked by the Barbarians. Payne, who was signed by Ulster from the Blues two years ago, has just extended his stay at the Irish club by a further three years.

Rokocoko, 29, played the last of his 68 Tests in 2010, having scored 46 tries. He has since played for French club Bayonne.

Evans, 32, has forged a successful career at English club Harlequins since leaving New Zealand in 2008. He played 16 Tests.

There are still more players to be added to the squad of 22, which features an array of international players. That includes a trio of Welshmen who have previously played for the Lions - hooker Matthew Rees, scrum-half Dwayne Peel and fly-half James Hook.

Barbarians

Backs: Jared Payne (NZ), Rowan Varty (Hong Kong), Takudzwa Ngwenya (USA), Joe Rokocoko (NZ), James Hook (Wales), Nick Evans (NZ), Kahn Fotuali'i (Samoa), Dwayne Peel (Wales), Dimitri Yachvili (France).

Forwards: Duncan Jones (Wales), BJ Botha (South Africa), Paul James (Wales), Martin Castrogiovanni (Italy), Matthew Rees (Wales), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Italy), Marco Wentzel (South Africa), Jim Hamilton (Scotland), Francois Louw (South Africa), Sam Jones (Wales), Alessandro Zanni (Italy), Sergio Parisse (Italy), Imanol Harinordoquy (France).

© AAP

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