The Australian Under 20 team beat an Australian Barbarians team 59-22 yesterday at Chatswood Oval to win four warm-up games out of four during their two camps in May.
The Barbarians [The Baas] team included three Waratahs plus three players invited to train with them pre-season, plus another invited on the Argentina tour last year. The remainder were mostly seasoned senior club players, though the openside flanker was Jack McCalman, the 2013 Australian Schools captain, who compared favourably with his hard-nosed team mates and his Under 20 opponents.
The Baas were expected to trouble the Australian Under 20s [the Juniors] more than the NSW Country team did, because of their greater experience, but they didn’t. The Country boys had trained together and played an earlier game, but the Baas were thrown together without much training, and it showed.
First half
The Juniors scored early when 4. Ross Haylett-Petty burst through a ruck with only grass in front of him to score near the sticks. 10. David Horwitz made the score 7-0.
After several raids up the left hand side new Waratah signing 14. Taqele Naiyaravoro scored a Lomu-like try in the corner for the Baas. 7-5 Juniors.
After the restart the Juniors attacked in waves though some moves were spoiled by bad handling. But soon they were held up over the Baas’ line and after a dominant scrum and a bit of ball work, hooker Tevita Vea scored. 12 – 5 Juniors
At this point 15. Johnny Vaux was badly injured and his place was taken by Andrew Kellaway. After a sweeping run by 14. Conrad Quick, Haylett-Petty charged over for his second try, and Horwitz made the score 19 – 5 Juniors.
The Under 20s were playing well but the Baas were making long break-out runs on the flanks in typical Barbarian style, only wanting better combinations to increase their scoring.
Their defence was affected as well and a ragged defensive line was easy meat for 13. Lalakai Foketi, who scored. It was 26-5 after the conversion.
But not for the first time in the two Sydney games, the Under 20s lost their concentration right after a restart and winger Maguie Tatola scored after some exciting Barbarians’ running and handling.
The Juniors still lead 26 – 10 and they hit back when 9. Angus Pulver showed stunning speed from a ruck to score under the posts. Juniors 33-10 at half time..
The youngsters were as hard over the ball in the first half as they were in the Country game, and earned more turnovers than the Baas did because of team ruck work.
Their scrummaging was better that the older Barbarian scrum also, and the lineouts were decent.
Second half
Under 20s skipper, Sean McMahon, went on a long run after the break. When the Baas recovered the ball in their 22 their exit kick was charged down and 12. Jim Stewart was over for the Juniors. Horwitz converted to make the score 40 – 10 before he was replaced by Jake McIntyre.
The Under 20s were showing off their excellent fitness but they became scrappy and allowed the game to drift. However, reserve backrower, Lolo Fakaosilea was the next in for a try and McIntyre made the score 47 – 10.
The crowd went wild after another Juniors’ raid when they dropped the ball and 6. James Cunningham of the Baas picked it up and ran for the line 70 metres away. Nobody could catch him but then this fat winger came flying out of nowhere and nailed him, but too late: Cunningham scored. 47 -15.
That was no fat winger it was LHP Rory O’Connor, showing remarkable pace.
The youngsters were a bit ragged now and the Baas scored their second try in row, which was a cracker. Tatola, having a top game, went on a long run, and popped the ball to 9. Terry Preston who offloaded to 15. David Feltscheer. He scored in an easy spot for 10. Harry Bennett to convert from. Juniors 47 – 22. Brilliant !!
The Under 20s ended the scoring with two quick tries to Andrew Kellaway, finishing like an assassin to make the final score: Australian Under 20s 59 – Australian Barbarians 22.
The wrap up
It was another good hit out for the Under 20s but there was a lack of defensive structure, especially in the second half. And there was also some over-keen ruck work that was not applied properly in both Sydney games.
Some of the handling was not first-rate but the endeavour of the Juniors and their swarming attacks, should reap dividends when they get chances in New Zealand.
The scoring
Australia Under 20s 59 (Ross Haylett-Petty 2, Andrew Kellaway 2, Tevita Vea, Lalakai Foketi, Angus Pulver, Jim Stewart, Lolo Fakaosilea tries; David Horwitz 5 cons, Jake McIntyre 2 cons) def Australian Barbarians 22 (Taqele Naiyaravoro, Maguie Tatola, James Cunningham, David Feltscheer tries; Harry Bennett con) at Chatswood Oval.
The Coach
Head Coach Adrian Thompson told me that the good weather had done his team no favours because they were unlikely to get such conditions in New Zealand.
He had a point: the Juniors were not forced to play tight in Sydney and were sucked into carnival rugby by the Barbarians.
Thompson said there had been big focus on the set piece and tight play headed by Cam Blades the forwards coach.
We know that parity there will be crucial to our chances vs Argentina and England in the first two games
We have picked a forward pack who will get through a lot of work and compete well at set piece time.
Our backs have a lot of class and will thrive off that and they are versatile: it’s a key to the tournament.
The Players
They are streets ahead of their preparation compared to last year and their fitness level looks superb.
Thompson was composed about the serious injury last night:
That was unfortunate for Johnny Vaux. That’s always a danger in games like this.
I assume that Conrad Quick, who was already added to the training squad as cover for Andrew Robinson, will become a fully-fledged tourist.
Michael Gunn is also acting as a shadow player, for Jack Dempsey, but nobody appears to be standing in for Tom Staniforth at the moment.
I thought the best players in the two Sydney games were centre Jim Stewart, winger/fullback Andrew Kellaway, openside flanker Rowan Perry and lock/no.8 Ross Haylett-Petty
I would play their best team in the first two games against Argentina and England.
G&GR 1st XV
1. Rory O’Connor, 2. Harry Scoble, 3. Allan Ala’alatoa, 4, Tom Staniforth, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Sean McMahon, 7. Rowan Perry, 8. Ross Haylett-Petty, 9. Angus Pulver, 10. Jake McIntyre, 11. Andrew Kellaway, 12. Jim Stewart, 13. Lalakai Foketi, 14. Brad Lacey, 15. Jonah Placid.
