And this is from Mr. Hector: Thank you sir.
What an excellent exhibition of rugby for the spectators at Viking Park today. The day combined favourable weather conditions with great steak sandwiches, drinkable coffee and an enthusiastic crowd from all over the country.
Local identities Henry Speight and Sam Carter were amongst the supporters.
Fiji v Australian Barbarians
Fiji lead at half time but on the final bell the Baabaas were in front 34-28.
The Baabaas must be credited for backing up so strongly in their fourth game for the tournament and they deserved the positive finish.
Although they appeared beaten at half time they rallied to complete a strong second half. The Fijians played enthusiastic rugby but at times lacked cohesion which prevented them from finishing some great play.
There was strong ball running by the forwards, and some traditional free running rugby in the backs.
Players: it was difficult to tell who was who as the Baabaas numbers had fallen off their jerseys! There was also no program.
Barbarians: a strong game from the 15 in the first half.
Both the 6 [Brodie Leber] and 7 [Joel Brown] were strong ball runners all week and continued to play barging rugby today. The 9 [Angus Taylor] worked tirelessly to direct his back line.
It was great to see the son of former NZ test referee Paddy O'Brien officiating in this game and assistant refereeing in the second.
NSW v QLD
The heavy weight clash resonated with traditional state rivalry. The first five minutes were filled with some bone-jarring tackles, many on the NSW players.
Countless raids by the large Qld pack were thwarted by the relentless defence of the NSW forwards. NSW withstood sustained pressure from Queensland's ball possession and field position.
NSW let themselves down with ill-discipline at the breakdown and the offside line which resulted in a high penalty count. However, when they had the chance to raid the Qld line they executed three beautiful tries, all the result of excellent team work.
With the score at 19-9 the second half started with the same Qld energy as the first half. NSW defence was put to the test on numerous occasions and the onslaught was withstood.
The forwards regathered momentum and marched determinedly down the field. The NSW lineout grew in confidence and as a result of the hard work two tries were scored, one finished off by a brilliant individual effort from A. Kellaway.
The QLD defence was also terrific, repelling advances on their try line and forcing errors from the NSW team.
QLD
Player of the tournament was Adam Korczyk and this was well-deserved on his efforts today. Although starting at 7 he played at 8 and was strong in attack and dogged in defence.
QLD stayed in touch off the boot of Dalgleish. Conrad Quick made a devastating run but retired injured, however his replacements Mitchell Third was just as damaging with the ball in hand.
Rodda and Scott Young were the workhorses in a hard working QLD pack.
NSW
Matt Sandell was dominant in the scrum, ball carries and tackling. He was capably supported by Cameron Orr in the same areas.
Ned Hanigan won crucial line outs. The back rowers were all tireless and deservedly scored one try each. Short and Deegan combined to electrify a fluid back line who were solid in defence and innovative in attack. The entire NSW bench were used and they were all effective.
All together it was a great day of rugby. The players are to be congratulated on the fine rugby they played in the right spirit, there was no violence or name calling, and the handshakes and hugs at the end of the games exemplified great sportsmanship.
Australian rugby is in very good hands.
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