Barbarians v Australia: Michael Cheika claims maiden Wallabies win in Twickenham thriller

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Nick Cummins talks through his cracking try for the Barbarians against Australia

A new era of Australian rugby dawned on Saturday as Michael Cheika’s Wallabies just did enough to claim a 40-36 triumph against a spirited Barbarians in a Twickenham classic.

Sam Carter, Benn Robinson, Tevita Kuridrani, Rob Horne, Bernard Foley and Sean McMahon all graced the scoresheet for Australia, while Frank Halai, Adam Thomson, Francis Saili, Nick Cummins and Marnitz Boshoff all collected tries in an enthralling, action-packed showcase event.

The arrival of the Barbarians at Twickenham always brings an air of excitement and with the expert guidance of Sir John Kirwan the invitational side brought panache and flamboyance in abundance.

Kirwan, coach of the Auckland Blues in Super Rugby, was vocal about his experimental approach and evidence of it was seen almost immediately as Steven Luatua put his hours of NFL viewing to fine use with a quarterback-style throw from Barbarians’ first line-out.

A deliberate knock down gifted the Barbarians the first penalty of the match and much to the delight of the Twickenham crowd, Colin Slade eschewed the opportunity to kick for goal in favour of setting up a line-out on the Australian five-metre line.

Kirwan’s quirks continued as scrum-half Tomas Cubelli turned what looked like a tap-and-go attempt into an overhead kick which almost caught Australia off guard, but debutant Henry Speight gathered possession to prevent what would have been an embarrassing try.

Point to prove

It was the free-flowing Barbarians who broke the deadlock as Slade, the All Black fly-half, orchestrated an excellent move by offloading to Cummins before the ball was spun out the right, where winger Halai dotted down a superb finish.

In a less expansive, yet equally effective move, Australia quickly seized the initiative as Sam Carter crashed over to chalk up the first try of the Cheika era and the reinstated Quade Cooper, making his first appearance in the green and gold for a year, added the extras with ease.

There was little time to catch breath with an immediate Baa-Baas riposte; Luatua, the 14-cap All Black back-row, initiated the break before Halai cut inside to find Thomson in copious amounts of space and the New Zealand international raced in for their second try of the match.

Australia regained the upper hand, though, as veteran prop Robinson battered his way over the whitewash after Kuridrani penetrated the gain line and Cooper’s successful conversion saw the Wallabies return to the dressing room with a 14-12 lead following a breathless first half.

Despite a spirited start to the second period from the Kirwan’s select side, the Wallabies extended their advantage as Kuridrani, who is growing on the international stage by the match, broke two tackles before pressing the accelerator to stride home.

Two-cap All Black centre Saili, by far the Barbarians’ most influential attacking back in the first half, reaped his rewards moments later as he beat Sean McMahon in a foot race to touch down a third try for the men in black and white.

Floodgates

Slade’s penalty, surprisingly not greeted by jeers, nudged the Barbarians back in front, but as the hosts wearied the floodgates opened for the Australians.

Matt Tommua was the catalyst for the Wallabies' fourth as he broke free and replacement scrum-half Nic White briskly released Horne, who sprinted over an unguarded try-line. Foley added a fifth shortly after, taking advantage of an incisive interception from full-back Israel Folau.

Those who saw the IRB Junior World Championships earlier in the year will already understand the threat posed by McMahon and the Rebels flanker announced his arrival in the Wallabies jersey by crowning an outstanding display with a score of his own.

Yet the Barbarians tradition prides itself on a never-say-die attitude and few embody such spirit like Cummins, who showed Cheika exactly what he was missing as the Coca Cola West Red Sparks winger dove over the line in impressive fashion.

Another sumptuous break from the iconic Cummins, whose flowing locks and headband were the preferred option for many fancy-dressers in atttendance, sparked a fifth Barbarians try, completed by Boshoff, who converted his own score to bring Kirwan’s side within four and set up a grandstand finale.

It may have been a non-cap fixture but this classic, old-fashioned Barbarians clash refused to end as the select XV sought to sting Australia and put a dampener on Cheika’s international baptism. Try as they may, though, the Baa-Baas did not have the legs to get over the line and Australia collected the KILLIK Cup.