Two-time Rugby World Cup winner Sam Whitelock has been added to the Barbarians squad for next week's match against Fiji at Twickenham.
The 35-year-old lock, the most-capped player in New Zealand's history, played his final game of professional club rugby for French Top 14 side Pau last weekend.
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Whitelock played 153 times for the All Blacks and won back-to-back Rugby World Cups in 2011 and 2015, winning seven straight Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders from 2017 to 2023.
He joined French Top 14 side Pau for the 2023/24 campaign, scoring a try in his last appearance in a 36-24 win against Perpignan.
Whitelock, who has never played for the Barbarians, said he was delighted to have the chance to feature for the famous invitational side.
"I can't wait to experience a week with the BaaBaas and it's very exciting for me to be doing something for the first time after such a long career in rugby so far," he said.
"The Barbarians is a select group -- you have to be invited to play, and to get that invitation now is very humbling.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know a few of the guys I have played against throughout my career. Spending a week with the group will be special – it’s always great to get to know different people, different cultures and different ways of doing things, with the backdrop of an important match at the end of the week."
Other players in the Barbarians squad, led by New Zealander Robbie Deans, include England internationals Danny Care, Ben Youngs, Jonny May and Kyle Sinckler.
“I’ve been playing rugby since I was three years old, and while my playing career is coming to an end, I know the sport will always be there for me – whether that’s in coaching, playing in fundraising matches, or whatever else might be ahead of me," Whitelock added.
"I’m looking forward to seeing what that looks like, but for now I am just really looking forward to the opportunity to play for the Barbarians, as it’s something I’ve never done before and a chance that does not come around often.
“It’s going to be an incredible day at Twickenham. Everyone that comes along is going to get two international matches for the price of one, which is pretty cool, and there’s going to be some awesome players out there showing the world what they’re capable of."
The match against the World Cup quarter-finalists Fiji at Twickenham, the home of English rugby, follows a Test between South Africa and Wales earlier in the day.
