NZ Barbarians Schools beat Australian Schools

New Zealand Barbarians 28 (Folau Fakatava, Danny Toala, Lincoln McClutchie Kaleb Trask 3 pen, 2 con) beat Australian Schools 17 (Lloyd Gorman, Hunter Paisami tries; Adam Doueihi pen, con; Issac Lucas con) Halftime: Barbarians 22-10



The New Zealand Barbarians Schools beat the Australian Schools 28-17 in today’s first international Schools match played at Mount Albert Grammar School in Auckland.


The Barbarians led 22-10 at halftime and kicked clear in the second spell to take victory over the Australian Schools side, who were coming off recent wins over Samoa Schools in Apia (50-10) and Fiji Schools at Sacred Heart College (39-17).


The Australians started the match with gusto, a series of pick and goes resulting in a converted try to their loosehead prop Lloyd Gorman.


The Barbarians quickly got themselves into back the game, forwards Cameron Suafoa, Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Sam Dickson playing well as a unit all match in the physical exchanges and in the lineouts.


Barbarians fullback Kaleb Trask post the home side’s first points with a penalty , before  halfback  Folau Fakatava darted over from close range from an attacking lineout to put them ahead 10-7.


Australia replied with a penalty to make it 10-10, but was that was a close as they were to get.


The Barbarians scored a breakout try, Left wing Connor Garden- Bachop making a 40 metre run and setting up a try to first five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie. Trask’s conversion made it 17-10.


Right on halftime, a long McLutchie cross-kick set up a try to right wing Danny Toala, although Toala was a long way in front of the kicker making this score somewhat fortuitous for the home side.


Australia opened the second half scoring with a  try to centre Hunter Paisami, which was converted from the sideline by replacement Isaac Lucas, closing the gap to 22-17.


The try came from a New Zealand fumble inside their own 22, with Paisami snaffling a loose ball and crossing through to score.


But once more, the New Zealand side took control of the rest of the match, playing well for territory and utilising the ground’s south-eastern corner that slopes away.


The Barbarians’ lineout continued to work well and New Zealand continued their abrasive approach. The result was that the Australians couldn’t escape the corner for long periods.


Fullback Trask kicked 30 metre and 40 metre second half penalties, which were enough to see the Barbarians hold on for the win.


Other players to play well for the Barbarians included centre Tanielu Bakulich-Tele’a, loosehead prop Kianu Kereru-Symes and replacement back Scott Gregory.

For the Australians, lock Esei Haangana, No. 8 Sunia Finefeuiaki and try scorer and centre Paisami were standouts. 

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