Reg I can't help but think that you've missed the point and really overthought this entire Barbarians week.
You said you "question this whole match and it's relevance to what Australian Rugby is trying to achieve". For me, it's quite simple: fan engagement.
People have been suggesting a Possibles vs. Probables match for ages, and this is essentially what it is. The fringe vs. the next tier. It's absurd to think that the ARU / Cheika would risk locked-in Wallabies for this game, and it's absurd to think that someone like Sio, TPN, Kepu, Coleman, Hooper, McMahon, Genia, Foley etc. would lose their Wallabies spot over a poor performance in an exhibition match like this.
It's not absurd to think that a strong performance from a Barbarians player might cause him to leapfrog his fringe-equivalent within the Wallabies squad. That's a lot to play for, and I'm hoping we see that reflected on Saturday with some skillful and aggressive Rugby.
It's supposed to be fun, light entertainment and it's precisely what it will be. Obviously there is a financial motive but that, in itself, doesn't detract from the occasion - it explains why its happening, but not the what and how of how it will play out. Nitpicking about the lack of international players in a true Barbarians team is understandable but NZ have just sent two squads on tour (a massive amount of players), and club competitions are in full swing across the globe.
And then on your issue with the Classic Wallabies branding - I get it - it wasn't a full 23 of Classic Wallabies (and some of the 'Classic Wallabies' never actually played for the Wallabies). But then again, will we ever find a full 23 of ex-Pros aged 35 and above, who are fit enough and medically cleared to play against professional 20-somethings?
Will we ever find a 23 of ex-Pros aged 35 and above, who are fit enough and medically cleared to play against professional 20-somethings WHO ARE THEN AVAILABLE to play in Lismore on the 24th of October 2017 for seemingly no benefit to themselves?
Probably not. But then what do we call a team with 8 30+ year old ex-professionals playing an exhibition match for charity against current professionals?
"Some old farts who used to be good with a smattering of youth"? Doesn't have the same ring to it and the message, the key offering of the event, is lost on fans.
As it turns out, the old farts below didn't do too badly against the youth of today. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait for Saturday.
Freier - 37
Samo - 41
Phibbs - 36
Mitchell - 33
Turinui - 35
Tuqiri - 38
Sheehan - 38
Gilbert - 30
