Aussie Barbarians 38 - 14 Canada

http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/08/27/rugby-barbarians-down-canada-38-14/

Drew Mitchell made a strong return from injury to press his claims for a start in the Rugby World Cup as the Australian Barbarians eased past Canada 38-14 on Friday night.

The winger was one of five Wallabies on the comeback trail at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast, playing just his third game following a sickening ankle injury sustained in April that threatened his World Cup hopes.

His first two outings were for Sydney club side Randwick.

After admitting to bouts of pre-game nerves, the powerful NSW Waratah showed plenty of calm and – more importantly – plenty of pace as he scored two tries and made several incisive busts for a Barbarians outfit boasting 194 Test caps.

Mitchell was unlucky not to have two more, twice powering his way over the line through heavy traffic but unable to get the ball down.

Berrick Barnes (concussion), Rob Horne (elbow), James Slipper (ankle) and Tatafu Polota-Nau (knee) all played after missing substantial amounts of football through injury.

Barnes, who also made his way back through club rugby, showed encouraging confidence after resting towards the end of the Super Rugby season following a series of head knocks.

The Waratahs fly-half scored a try, kicked four goals and organised the side well.

He even got into a scrap with Canadian forward Jebb Sinclair, landing two punches on his chin after the Canadian lashed out at him.

Slipper and Polota-Nau – who had a strong game at hooker – also got through 69 minutes of rugby unscathed.

Nathan Sharpe led the Barbarians after being controversially omitted from Australia’s side to contest the Tri-Nations final against New Zealand on Saturday night and was workmanlike in his 60 minutes on field.

Melbourne Rebels scrum half Nick Phipps also played for 60 minutes in the place of the injured Matt Giteau – the man he also replaced in the World Cup squad.

Queensland centre Ben Tapuai – not named in the Australian 30-man squad – had an impressive game, having a key hand in the first three Barbarians tries and scoring one of his own at the death.

It was a scrappy game and there were plenty of errors and defensive lapses from both teams.

Canada arrived after impressive wins against World Cup regulars USA in Toronto and Colorado and were tenacious against the Barbarians side.

Mitchell said he was still some way off his best but was pleased with the hitout.

“It was good to get through it,” he said.

“The ankle has come through pretty well … (my pace) was sort of up there.

“I wouldn’t say I’m right at my peak in terms of top end speed but I don’t expect it to be just yet either.

“It’s getting closer each time I get out there.”

Barbarians coach and ARU high performance manager David Nucifora said the injured players had acquitted themselves well.

“Rob Horne will be the 22nd player tomorrow, he’ll be on the bench for the Test match (against New Zealand),” he said.

“He’ll really add some value.

“I thought that Tatafu and James Slipper, who have had long breaks like Drew, they did very well.

“It was quite energy sapping out there for the frontrowers … both those boys got through 65 minutes of football.”

Horne played only the first half, rested when Australia coach Robbie Deans finalised his squad.

The scorers:

For Australian Barbarians:
Tries: Horne, Barnes, Mitchell 2, Hodgson, Tapuai
Con: Barnes 4

For Canada:
Tries: Van der Merwe, McKenzie
Con: Pritchard 2

Australian Barbarians: 15 Lachie Turner, 14 Rod Davies, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Pat McCutcheon, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Nathan Sharpe (capt), 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 James Slipper, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 Beau Robinson, 20 Ben Tapuai, 21 Luke Morahan, 22 Mark Gerrard.

Canada: 15 James Pritchard, 14 Ciaran Hearn, 13 DTH van der Merwe, 12 Ryan Smith, 11 Phil Mackenzie, 10 Ander Monro, 9 Ed Fairhurst, 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 Chauncey O'Toole, 6 Adam Kleeberger, 5 Jamie Cudmore, 4 Jebb Sinclair, 3 Jason Marshall, 2 Pat Riordan (c), 1 Hubert Buydens.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Hamilton, 17 Scott Franklin, 18 Tyler Hotson, 19 Nanyak Dala, 20 Sean White, 21Conor Trainor, 22 Nathan Hirayama.

Not a bad result foe Canada, it could of been a lot worse to be honest.

Very pleased for Mitchell, I thought he was definitely out of the world cup. Him and Iaone on the wings for Aus = lost of tries being scored! Not a bad Aussie baa-baa's side at all, I don't remember Barnes or Mitchell being named in the world cup squad though?

nottins_jones wrote: I don't remember Barnes or Mitchell being named in the world cup squad though?

Yes, both Barnes and Mitchell are in the WC squad. Mitchell is (was) a bit of a gamble but he didn't look too bad the other night, he's still got plenty of toe and found himself in the right place at the right time. They looked reasonably good with ball in hand but they were playing Canada after all. The baabaa's also leaked a couple of soft-ish looking tries which wasn't part of the script.

It was a weird game to watch with Fox's bare bones coverage... no commentary, no game clock or scoreboard, and a stadium so empty you could hear a mouse fart.