game in their new colours of pink and blue when they take on the Rest in the curtain-raiser to Sunday's World Rugby Classic semifinals (12.30 p.m.).

Captain David Cooke will be eager to show that Bermudian-born talent is at its best and although the Onions are not as experienced as their opposition they will be favourites to win solely on their expected gutsy approach to this annual encounter.

Onions' preparation has been extensive and there is a definite air of anxiety in the camp. To prove how serious the Onions are they have made arrangements to fly in Bobby Hurdle from school in Halifax. This should have a profound impact on their possession in line-outs as Hurdle will undoubtedly command the middle against Marty Vinks.

For the Rest team, danger men in the backs are Barry Whitehead at full-back and Dave Conway in the centre who be match-winners if they are on form. The Onions will be relying on the tackling of Alvin Harvey and Scott Correia to counteract any midfield breaks by these two powerful attackers.

In the forwards, a contest will develop in the front row where the inexperience of Onion Pat Bryan at tight head prop could mean a disrupted flow of scrum ball. The Onions' back row of Ball, Field and Walsh are known for their aggression in mauls, rucks and tackling and are likely to capitalise on the less aggressive Rest back row of Dominic Sylvester, captain Ali Nicol -- who is nursing a calf muscle injury -- and the inexperienced Dave Stadden.

TEAMS Onions: Pat Jones, Sean Kelly, Andre Simons, Mike Montgomery, Alvin Harvey, Scott Correia, Andre Correia, Billy McNiven, David Cooke, Pat Bryan, Ron Hooks, Bobby Hurdle, Sean Field, Terry Walsh, Nick Ball. Subs: John Edwards, Colin Lunn, Craig Brangman, Henry Adderley, Danny Soares, Robbie Dickinson.

The Rest: Barry Whitehead, Matt Gorman, Tom Dixon, Dave Conway, Mike Gorrie, Alan Oliver, Wade Tehima, Neil Alexander, Jon Harris, Danny Cozens, Marty Vinks, Des Nash, Ali Nicol, Dominic Sylvester. Subs: Gerry Paddock, Gary Osborne, Russell Matthews, Tim Carr, Tim White, Nevin Jameson, Johan Jones, Tony Nagle.

BOBBY HURDLE.