"Mate, the war has begun."
With those words, Barbarians coach Alan Jones cheekily set the tone for the Wallabies vs Barbarians clash on October 28.
Speaking about Cheika's late call to pull out a quartet of players in the Barbarians squad, including former Force centre Billy Meakes, to take on the Classic Wallabies, Jones couldn't resist having a tongue-in-cheek jab at his old friend.
The former Wallabies coach wasn't afraid of throwing barbs Cheika's way, but was quick to peel back any semblance of true anger, describing this battle as a 'fake war' between the pair.
Cheika said he wasn't sure he would have much room left for mind games after next week's Bledisloe Test, but he expected Jones to continue to throw barbs in the lead-up to the main game.
Seven capped Wallabies are in the mix to line up against the national side when the Barbarian roll into town, as well as some fringe squad players and Jones challenged those players to stand up
Barbarians coach Alan Jones named a 24-man squad on Friday morning, with a handful of players to be added to the group as time goes on.
Western Force players have dominated selection in Alan Jones' Barbarians squad, with seven of his 24 from the axed franchise.
Matt Hodgson, Pek Cowan, Anaru Rangi, Richie Arnold, Matt Philip, Kane Koteka and Michael Ruru have all been named for the group, to take on the Classic Wallabies in Lismore on October 24 and the Wallabies on October 28 in Sydney.
Jones has only selected two specialist props in his initial squad, with Taniela Tupou having the chance to potentially force his way onto the Wallabies' Spring Tour.
Tupou was on Australia's Spring Tour last year as a development player but doesn't become eligible for Tests until Novermber 22 this year.
Cheika won't be picking his Spring Tour squad until the day after the Barbarians clash, giving players on both sides an opportunity to prove their worth, and Jones said that was in his mind with selections.
"The emphasis here has been on young people," he said.
"I'm challenging these people to recognise that this is a big opportunity for them and it's a chance now to put your talent on the line and be seen."
Capped Wallabies Luke Jones and Sam Carter will both have a chance to show their stuff for the Barbarians, Jones coming over from France for the privilege.
Carter's Barbarians performances last year helped him back into the Wallabies setup on the Spring Tour.
Former Reds squad member Sam Greene is also an intriguing inclusion in the Baabaas squad, returning from the Japanese Top League to play.
There'll be three Kiwis in the squad with Augustine Pulu and George Moala pulled from the Auckland Blues and Tim Nanai-Williams joining from the Chiefs.
Super Rugby-winning backrower Jacques Potgieter will be a familiar face for the Wallabies and Classic Wallabies, having played for the Waratahs in their 2014 championship season.
Warringah's Sam Ward was voted into the squad by fans earlier this year, and he'll be joined by Australia U20s halfback Theo Strang as the two club players in the squad.
Jones said he hoped the game would be able to reignite some passion in rugby, after a disappointing year domestically.
"I hope it can reinvigorate interest in the game," he said.
"I'm very disturbed, for rugby, we all love the game, but I'm disturbed by the extent to which people have written off the game.
"We've had problems administratively and it's not fair that they get passed on and shovelled on to the players."
The Barbarians take on the Classic Wallabies in Lismore on October 24 and the Wallabies on October 28 in Sydney. Buy tickets here.
SQUAD
Barbarians squad to face the Classic Wallabies and Wallabies
Props
Pek Cowan - Western Force
Taniela Tupou - Queensland Reds
Hookers
Andrew Ready - Queensland Reds
Anaru Rangi - Western Force
Locks
Richie Arnold - Western Force
Sam Carter - Brumbies
Luke Jones - Bordeaux
Matt Philip - Western Force
Backrowers
Jacques Potgieter - Bulls
Isi Naisarani - ACT Brumbies
Matt Hodgson - Western Force
Kane Koteka - Western Force
Sam Ward - Warringah
Halfbacks
Michael Ruru - Western Force
Augustine Pulu - Auckland Blues
Theo Strang - Sydney Uni
Flyhalves
Quade Cooper - Queensland Reds
Sam Greene - Toyota Industries Shuttles
Centres
George Moala - Blues
Outside Backs
Eto Nabuli - Queensland Reds
Taqele Naiyaravoro - NSW Waratahs
Tim Nanai-Williams - Chiefs
Tom Banks - ACT Brumbies
The Barbarians take on the Wallabies at Allianz Stadiun, Saturday October 28 at 3pm. Tickets available at Ticketek.com.au
