Report from Blog.sky sport.co.nz
New Zealand Barbarians: 24 (Mitchell Karpik, Mitchell Drummond, Michael Green tries; Damian McKenzie, 3 con, 1 pen) Australia Secondary Schools: 5 (John Porch try)
The Report
The New Zealand Barbarians Schools selection showed they would give most international schools sides a competitive match, convincingly beating Australia by 24-5 at Sacred Heart College in Auckland.
New Zealand’s victory was confirmed in the 58th minute when reserve prop Jordan Brown won a defensive tighthead, inside his own 22, when the score was 10-5.
The turnover allowed influential second five TJ Fiane to dispatch Australia back into their own half with a booming punt. A turnover from a lineout and a bullocking charge by Fiane then created sufficient momentum for reserve halfback, and Press Cup player of the year, Mitchell Drummond to wriggle over from close range for the decisive try.
New Zealand in truth should have delivered the knockout blow much earlier. The dynamic running game of their loose forwards Mitchell Jacobson, Mitchell Karpik and Dillon Wihongia, plus the constant involvement and elusiveness of fullback Bram Egli, gave the Australian defence constant problems.
New Zealand blew at least three try scoring chances before Drummond’s effort. Luteru Laulala failed to straighten and was bundled over the touchline when he had an overlap infield. Egli stepped into a tackle meters short of the line when he had space in the opposite direction and winger Sean Connor spilled the ball with a wide open line.
Such criticisms are probably pedantic however, as the New Zealand team only assembled last week and, following a sluggish start, showed an abundance of quality.
First-Five Damien McKenzie was one of the game’s stars. His smart options on attack and assured kicking game ensured New Zealand made the most of all of their possession.
A searing 30 meter break by McKenzie, after 20 minutes, brought the game to life and helped create the first try for Mitchell Karpik.
Australia’s scrambling defence was good, but on attack they offered little. However John Porch’s try before halftime, sparked by a 50 meter break by fullback Jonah Placid, was a beauty!
Reserves Kemu Valetini and Jack Dempsey had a noticeable impact too and may find themselves starting against the full New Zealand team next Saturday.