Try scorer: Sergio Parisse
A last-minute try from Isa Nacewa saw the Barbarians edge Wales 31-28 in a nine-try thriller at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.
The result is the Baa-baas' second success in as many weeks after getting the better of England last week.
Wales meanwhile were left to reflect on a poor overall performance that will leave coach Warren Gatland with more questions than answers in the build-up to the World Cup.
The Barbarians dominated the first half, largely thanks to their superiority in the set pieces, and deservedly lead 19-14 at the break. The hosts came back strongly in the second period to regain the lead but they failed to close the game out as two tries in the last ten minutes allowed the Barbarians to snatch victory.
Wales took the early lead when wing George North took a pass from Gavin Henson to score the opening try but the Barbarians hit back to lead at the break as Iosefa Tekori, Nacewa and captain Sergio Parisse crossed, with Morgan Stoddart getting Wales' second try.
Wales moved back in front in the second period thanks to Mike Phillips and Aled Brew with Stephen Jones adding the conversions on his 100th cap, but Mathieu Bastareaud got a try back for the Barbarians before Nacewa profited from a superb Willie Mason pass to sprint almost the full length of the field to snatch victory in the last move of the match.
The scorers:
For Wales:
Tries: North, Stoddart, Phillips, Brew
Cons: Jones 4
For Barbarians:
Tries: Tekori, Nacewa 2, Parisse, Bastareaud
Cons: James 3
Yellow cards: Brew (Wales - 44th min);
Wales: 15 Morgan Stoddart, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Gavin Henson, 11 Aled Brew, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (capt), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Ryan Jones, 3 Paul James, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Nathan Bevington.
Replacements: 16 Lloyd Burns, 17 Scott Andrews, 18 Alun-Wyn Jones, 19 Josh Turnbull, 20 Tavis Knoyle, 21 Rhys Priestland, 22 Nathan Williams.
Barbarians: 15 Isa Nacewa, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Seru Rabeni, 12 Mathieu Bastareaud, 11 Doug Howlett, 10 Brock James, 9 Sebastien Tillous-Borde, 8 Sergio Parisse (capt), 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Joe van Niekerk, 5 Paul Tito, 4 Iosefa Tekori, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Sebastien Bruno, 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 17 Davit Kubriashvili, 18 Erik Lund, 19 George Smith, 20 Lloyd Williams, 21 Willie Mason, 22 Benoit Baby.
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland), Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Television match official: Graham Hughes (England)
Comments
Lucasrg says...
I enjoy this game so much, but I would be worry if I were Welsh. Hansom is a pointess choice for the world cup, and kinda luck of ideas wich is a bit strange from a Welsh side. I was much more delighted with Nathan Williams and Scott Andrews. Very intersitng players there, and a very promising number 8.
The Barbarians wree just too good and so skillful. Off loads extravaganza this team, I was impressed by even the huge Willie Mason. All great tries, funny game.
Posted 23:14 07th June 2011
7ton says...
Lawynd
I mainly agree with your comments and I also have to wonder about the ability of Scott Johnson the Ospreys coach. Things just don't seem right there.
Posted 23:06 07th June 2011
lawynd says...
@SpanishJack - Gatland has been resting on his laurels since winning the Grand Slam, in my opinion. In that time Wales have only gone backwards, and no amount of 'near misses' and 'running opponents close' should disguise that. The fact that Gatland is desperate enough to try and indulge in mind games prior to crunch games speaks volumes, too. I don't think he's been helped by the top two regions in fairness, who have completed their teams with imports in vital positions (although they seem to have learned from their mistakes - look at Osprey's team for next season) but at the same time, it's obvious that certain players haven't been performing for a while (Mike Phillips, Lee Byrne and Ryan Jones immediately spring to mind) and others are overlooked; they've already had to back down on their stupid and pompous ruling of not selecting players from outside the country. As for picking Henson, it smacks of desperation, frankly. I don't think Gatland has a clue any more, but you're stuck with him and that ludicrous new contract.
Posted 17:29 06th June 2011
SpanishJack says...
Munster 1981. Why no BBC Wales channels in Irish Republic? I live on the Costa Blanca in Spain and get BBC 1 & 2 Wales (plus other BBC1 regions), S4C (all Magners rugby), Alba (Scottish TV channel) and my Sky News is Irish Sky with all adds in Euros!!
What about the Wales v. Baa Baa's game? What does everyone think about the Welsh performance? Has Gatland gone as far as he can? Seems to me to be running out of ideas. I think that after so many times needing to 'pick his team up' from disappointing defeat, he is running out of motivational talks. This and a lack of an obvious starting lineup, makes me very concerned about our prospects in the World Cup, not least because I have already booked my tickets and hotels! Glad that I didn't book beyond the Quarter Final game (as group runners up).
Looking at the Welsh performance from another angle. Has the Ospreys factor contributed to the stagnation of Welsh performance? James Hook, Mike Phillips, Lee Burn, etc. leaving, the team performance far below what we expected from such a pool of talent and now Gavin Henson back in the Welsh squad. I rate him highly as a player, when fully match fit but if his presence disturbs an already fragile team, then sorry Gav. you may be the weekest link. Lots of points, would like peoples serious opinions.
Posted 09:14 06th June 2011
munster1981 says...
@ pixiek
thanks for that but unfortunately the bbc iplayer doesnt work in the republic either.
looks like im destined not to see any ba bas matchs!!!
Posted 20:43 05th June 2011
PixieK says...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b011w83w/Scrum_V_Live_04_06_2011/
This takes forever to download but hopefully it will work for you....
Posted 15:45 05th June 2011
munster1981 says...
arrrggggghhhhh can't get BBC Wales in the ROI!!!
why has no proper channel showed these matches. they are pure exhibition rugby!
Posted 11:35 05th June 2011
7ton says...
Crunchfit and Munster1981
I saw it on BBC1 or 2 Wales. If you have Sky you can get all the BBC regional variations regardless of where you live but I'm not sure about the Irish republic though if that is where you live.
Cheers
Posted 10:09 05th June 2011
crunchfit says...
munster1981
I couldn't find it anywhere either. Extended highlights were on s4c though at 9.30. In Welsh.
Great try by Necewa. Willie Mason was great.
Made one try out of nothing and I have no idea how he got that pass to Necewa for the other try. What are the plans for him and a career in rugby union because I would happily take him on my team. Wonder if AUS might consider taking him...
For those who didn't see:
Set up of try one: Ran diagonally across field was tackled by two players had a third player try and block his pass out wide, so he reached around that player and flicked it to Basteraud who had an easy run in. He took 3 Welsh players out with that one move. Brilliant.
Second: Necewa passes just outside 22 to another player and loops. Other player passes to Mason. Mason makes a quick dart and gets smashed. He is stopped dead. His feet come off the ground and his legs fly up, upper body flips backwards onto the floor and he somehow pops the ball (while being held and in the air and rotating) into Necewa's hands who then runs pitch beating five players (well, he beat the full back twice) from just outside his 22. Brilliant as well.
Very glad I watched the highlights. There was other good stuff as well, but Mason and Necewa at the end were world class.
Posted 23:18 04th June 2011
munster1981 says...
can anyone tell me what channel these ba-bas games are on? driving me nuts trying to find them? how did the great tanned hope play?
Posted 22:09 04th June 2011
adamk says...
EEE-SAH!! EEE-SAH!! EEE-SAH!!
Posted 18:21 04th June 2011