Wins for the Barbarians, Springoks and Australia

Saturday , June 5


Australia 49 - 3 Fiji

Wales 31 - 34 South Africa

Friday , June 4

Ireland 23 - 29 Barbarians



Friday night saw an experimental Ireland side take on the Barbarians at Thomond Park in Limerick. The Barbarians were in much better from than against England, and looked like they could run away with it at one stage. The injection of a little bit of quality near the end told for Ireland as the class of Tommy Bowe and Tomas O’Leary made a big difference, and if the match had been 5 minutes longer…Ireland could have won. Alan Quinlan playing for the Barbarians was a walking penalty and yellow card opportunity, high tackles, lying all over the ball and coming in from the side – he must have a real puppy dog look every time the ref speaks to him to stay on the field. So not the result Ireland wanted but it wasn’t their best team anyway. Sean Cronin is going to have to learn to throw in straight if he want’s to make the side on a regular basis, while John Muldoon took a big step up, and could be in contention against the All Blacks.



On Saturday, Wales came against the Boks at the millennium stadium with all the predictions being for a Welsh victory. The Boks obviously hadn’t read the script, and if this thrown together side can come up with a win like that, the rest of the world should be scared for their main team, as the Boks stamped size 12 boots all over the match in a 40 minute spell in the middle of the match. Wales , who in fairness have some big names missing, played in fits and starts, and again if the game had been 5 minutes longer, could have come up with a win. Wales just don’t seem to be able to close out the big ones. Several of the fringe Boks held their hands up, with Dewald Potgeiter and Juan de Jong in very good form. De Jong has a brilliant step, a big heart in defense and a big future with South Africa.



Australia came away with a easy win the end over Fiji, depite only leading 14-3 at half time. Their main concern will be losing prop Ben Alexander to injury.