Eastwood centre Michael McDougall on the run against Manly

NSW Rugby Union Media Release –

Michael McDougall has been called into the NSW Barbarians squad for next month’s two-match tour of Argentina.

The 22-year-old centre from Eastwood will take the place of Berrick Barnes, after coach Michael Cheika decided against taking the departing Wallaby.

Said assistant coach Alan Gaffney of McDougall, “He’s got some good wraps on him. People who are good judges have rated him very highly, not only people from Eastwood but also those who have played against him.

“He’s a player with a good all round game and someone who we believe could make the transition to the next level.”

Cheika has also confirmed the withdrawal of Tatafu Polota–Nau who failed to sufficiently recover from his broken forearm, and Sitaleki Timani, who it has been agreed will not tour.

A decision on whether or not to replace Timani or Polota-Nau will be made at the weekend, following the conclusion of Saturday’s Shute Shield Round 15 matches.

The details of the two matches against the Pumas are now also confirmed. The first match will take place on August 3 at La Plata RC, La Plata City, Buenos Aires and kicks off at 3.40pm local time.

The second match on August 9 will be played at Estadio Padre Martearena in Salta (8.10pm). As broadcast details have yet to confirmed, it is not yet known whether NSW fans will be able to watch the matches on TV or via the internet.

NSW Barbarians squad

Alofa Alofa (West Harbour)*; Peter Betham (Sydney University); Mitchell Chapman (Eastern Suburbs); Cam Crawford (Northern Suburbs); Jack Dempsey (Gordon)*; Dave Dennis (Sydney University); Auvasa Falealii (Newcastle Waratahs)*; Bernard Foley (Sydney University); Alex Gibbon (Southern Districts)*; Tala Grey (Eastern Suburbs); Terrence Hepetema (Randwick)*; Jed Holloway (Southern Districts); Luke Holmes (Warringah); Rob Horne (Southern Districts); David Horwitz (Randwick)*; Sekope Kepu (Randwick); Tolu Latu (Sydney University)*; David Lolohea (West Harbour)*; Matt Lucas (Manly); Pat McCutcheon (Sydney University); Michael McDougall (Eastwood)*; Brendan McKibbin (Eastern Suburbs); Drew Mitchell (Randwick); Usaia O’Sullivan (West Harbour)*; Paddy Ryan (Sydney University); Will Skelton (Sydney University); Kerren Straker (Penrith)*; Sam Talakai (Sydney University)*; Jeremy Tilse (Sydney University); Keliti Vangalo (Eastern Suburbs)*; Ben Volavola (Southern Districts); Liam Winton (Sydney University)*

*Indicates invited club players