Brendon McCullum will turn out for Team Rugby in Friday's Black Clash T20 match in Christchurch after being ''poached'' by Sir Graham Henry.

Former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry has pulled a trick from his sleeve for Friday's Black Clash Twenty20 match, "poaching" Brendon McCullum from Team Cricket.

McCullum was originally selected by Stephen Fleming as captain of Team Cricket, however the former Black Caps captain will play alongside Kieran Read, Israel Dagg and the Barrett brothers, Jordie and Beauden, in an All Blacks-laden Team Rugby side at Christchurch's Hagley Oval on Friday (4pm start).

"Ted [Henry] has been in my ear for months now that I'd end up playing for him and in the end he was right," McCullum said.



McCullum – a representative rugby player in his youth – qualifies for Team Rugby on the grounds that his last competitive sports match on New Zealand soil was as fullback for the Matamata Senior B rugby team.

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"For the purposes of selection for this event he is a rugby player. I've been saying that all along," Henry said.



"I'm very glad that the organisers have come around to that way of thinking."

GETTY IMAGES Brendon McCullum will be looking to bring some fireworks with the bat in the T20 Black Clash match after a tough summer with the Brisbane Heat.

McCullum was philosophical about the late team switch. He is playing for the struggling Brisbane Heat in Australia's Big Bash T20 competition, scoring 232 runs at 25.77 through nine matches.



"When I signed up for my season of rugby I didn't think it would have an impact on my cricket eligibility," he said. "But I guess that's why Ted is one of the best.



"I've played a lot of cricket with Flem and the Team Cricket guys. But I haven't played on the same team as Richie McCaw and Kieran Read, so this is actually quite a cool opportunity.



"And I'm looking forward to seeing what plans Flem and the boys have for me. I want to do well for whoever I play for, so I'm really up for this challenge."

SCOTT BARBOUR/GETTY IMAGES Stephen Fleming is player-coach for Team Cricket in Friday's Black Clash T20 cricket match at Hagley Oval.

Fleming was disappointed a loophole in the rules had allowed his captain to be "poached" by Team Rugby, but confirmed he had already found the perfect replacement.



"We've recruited Nathan McCullum to take Brendon's place," Fleming said. "It was the only sensible move and not just because at this late stage we've already got a team shirt with 'McCullum' on the back.



"Nathan is a quality player who won matches for New Zealand with the bat and ball, so it's not like our side is any weaker."

Nathan McCullum said he was delighted to be called up to play in the match and was eager to dismiss his brother.



"We've played against each other a few times over the years and it is always fun," Nathan said.



"But I don't really know how Brendon considers himself to be a rugby player. I reckon he is just star-struck."

GETTY IMAGES All Black Aaron Smith will now play for Team Cricket in Friday's Black Clash T20 match in Christchurch.

To accommodate the switch – and placate Team Cricket - match officials granted Team Cricket the right to select a player from the Team Rugby lineup as compensation.



Fleming selected All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith, who now fills the wildcard spot in his lineup.



"I've heard through the grapevine that Aaron has been [Team Rugby captain] Kieran Read's main training partner and has been smashing it in the nets," Fleming said.



"So there's a bit of payback there in nicking Kieran's mate, but Aaron is also exactly the type of player we are after."



AT A GLANCE

Confirmed teams:

TEAM RUGBY: Kieran Read (c), Richie McCaw, Israel Dagg, Brendon McCullum, Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Jason Spice, Ali Williams, Kendra Cocksedge, Kaylum Boshier, Ofisa Tonu'u, David Hussey.

Coach: Sir Graham Henry

TEAM CRICKET: Stephen Fleming (player-coach), Aaron Smith, Grant Elliott, Luke Ronchi, Kyle Mills, Chris Harris, Nathan Astle, James Franklin, Hamish Marshall, Liz Perry, Nathan McCullum.

Manager/motivator: Scott Robertson