Barbarians 27
Tonga 24
Daragh Small reports from Thomond Park
DONNCHA O’CALLAGHAN led a figure of eight tribute to Anthony Foley before kick-off, and Barbarians got their first international victory of the year against Tonga at Thomond Park.
There were four Irish debutants on the Barbarians starting 15 with James Cronin – who left injured after ten minutes – Brian Scott, Quinn Roux and Jordi Murphy all packing down up front. O’Callaghan and John Muldoon, meanwhile, were sprung from the replacements bench.
Two tries from Ateli Pakalani and Fotu Lokotui gave Tonga an early lead, before Taqele Naiyaravoro and Vince Aso hit back.
It was 15-14 to Barbarians at half-time and Sione Vailanu added a third try for Tonga but Jordi Murphy cancelled that out before Andy Ellis scored off another rolling maul, but Vailanu scored again for the Tongans to reduce the final deficit to three.
The Tongans had made quite the opening statement.
Tevita Taufui and Nafi Tuitavake were involved as Pakalani burst through to dot down near the left touchline. Captain Sonatane Takalua kicked an impressive conversion and his side led 7-0.
Munster prop Cronin hobbled off early on and with Barbarians struggling to gain a foothold, Tonga broke for a second try – Lokotui scoring on this occasion, with just 11 minutes on the clock.
But Naiyaravoro bounced his way through the Tonga cover to score down the left wing in the 19th minute.
Baa-Baas full-back George Bridge was next to go over and Robert du Preez’s first successful conversion attempt left it 14-12 after 23 minutes.
And then four minutes before the break du Preez slotted a penalty for a 15-14 half-time lead.
O’Callaghan, who was playing what was likely his last professional game in the Limerick venue, came on at half-time.
The Tongans scored again when second-half replacement Vailanu popped up in the right corner to touch down with 17 minutes remaining before Murphy and Ellis sealed the win for Barbarians as Vailanu’s try proved nothing more than a late consolation.
ScorersBarbariansTries: Taqele Naiyaravoro, George Bridge, Jordi Murphy, Andy EllisConversion: Robert du Preez 2/4
Penalty: Robert du Preez 1/1
Tonga
Tries: Ateli Pakalani, Fotu Lokotui, Sione Vailanu (2)
Conversions: Sonatane Takalua 2/3, Kali Hala 0/1
Barbarians: George Bridge (Crusaders); Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs) (David Smith (Castres) ’65), Richard Buckman (Highlanders), Harold Vorster (Lions), Vince Aso (Hurricanes); Robert du Preez (Stormers), Nic Stirzaker (Rebels)(Andy Ellis (Kobelco Steelers) ’16); James Cronin (Munster) (Jacques van Rooyen (Lions) ’10), Akker van der Merwe (Sharks) (Adrian Strauss (Bulls) ’51), Brian Scott (Munster) (Ruan Smith (Toyota Verblitz) ’40); Geoff Parling (Munakata Sanix Blues) (Donncha O’Callaghan (Worcester Warriors) ’40), Quinn Roux (Connacht) (Sam Carter (Brumbies) ’45); Jordi Murphy (Leinster), Simone Favaro (Fiamme Oro) (John Muldoon (Connacht) ’51), Willie Britz (Sunwolves).
Tonga: Ateli Pakalani; David Halaifonua, Nafi Tuitavake, Tevita Taufui (Fetuli Paea ’14) (Penikolo Latu ’51-60, 69), Cooper Vuna; Kali Hala, Sonatane Takalua (Suke Tuumotooa ’71); Paea Faanunu (Latu Talakai ’45), Sione Lea (Maile Ngauamo ’63), Ben Tameifuna (Halani Aulika ’51); Leva Fifita (OneHunga Kaufisi ’51), Steve Mafi; Dan Faleafa, Fotu Lokotui, Maama Vaipulu (Sione Vailanu ’51).
Referee: Frank Murphy (IRFU)
Going by that top photo, looks like it was a pity there was nobody there to see it….
@Jumperoo: that stand was closed tonight and east stand had a big crowd in it. The people you can see under the clock are kids that played at half time.
@Eamon Maguire: Will ya stop, there was nobody there
That’s a shocking crowd (not blaming anyone) would it be better to have a game like that in an AIL ground and fill it with 3-4000 and the club does well. Surely there is no way this made money for the ground
@Scott Crossfield: does this not really expose our whole “stadia will be full” stance for RWC 2023? The media have played up the thinking that what sets Ireland apart from SA is that for also ran games – like, say, those involving Tonga v Namibia on a Tuesday night – provincial grounds like Thomond would be full. It would have helped our cause if 20.000 showed up for this game.
@Martin Quinn: of course it is different but in a week in which the CEO of the IRFU writes a detailed letter which partially focused on how our bid is different because we’ll sell out stadia for even the minnow games, a less than glamorous fixture in Limerick, one of rugby’s heartlands, attracts less than 10,000 people. Whether you agree or not isn’t really the point. I’ve absolutely no doubt there are people in WR who will be made aware of that. “Traditional rugby communities” is how Browne and the media have spun this. It doesn’t get more traditional than the Barbarians, against a recognised rugby nation. It looks bad.
@grandslamkbo: no it doesn’t, glory days are long gone for the baa-baa’s. they are a corporate group ,who gives a shit about them. It’s a mad panic even to fill a squad with them sometimes , it’s nice to be asked to play with them but I doubt there’s a player out there that aspires to be a baa-baa some day.
@grandslamkbo: the powers that be in their wisdom decided that a local AIL game between Young Munster and Garryowen would kick-off at the same time on the other side of the city.
That coupled with the very bad weather didn’t help. But agreed it is very poor optics in light of our arguments on stadia since S.A announced as preferred choice for 2023.
@Hardly Normal: i don’t care about the Barbarians either but that’s not the point. This was still a Friday night fixture in Limerick involving a world cup team and another with a long history. Arguing about the BaaBaas role is irrelevant. The stadium was about 20% full. It looks terrible.
@grandslamkbo: I think your argument is irrelevant, the barbarians are responsible for their own marketing. We just supplied a stadium. Weather played a massive aspect too! Someone else mentioned there was a local ail match at the same time! If it was important to have a full stadium they could have hyped it up, televised it and handed out free tickets if needs be.
@grandslamkbo: it takes brains to fix anAIL limerick derby the same night in the same city, also most junior rugby teams in the province have training on Friday nights
@Hardly Normal: that doesn’t make sense. The fact that it wasn’t televised means you’d expect more people to be at it. Do you think the attendance would have been bigger if it was live on tv?
Pretending the AIL fixture had any effect is nonsense. There were 250 at it tops. I know. I was there
@Martin Quinn: What are you on about? You want me to produce a photo to prove I was there? Fu<£ing clown. It's almost like you believe the attendance at the munster game was low because they were all watching AIL. Wake up.
Good man Donnacha. Proper order.
The unending tributes to Anthony Foley (deceased for well over a year now) are getting too much. He was a fine player, not a great coach.
@Paul K Murphy: Nope, because he’s dead over a year and it’s old. RIP but come on, please stop.
@John Reid:
K**b head
Was this on TV
@Charlie Brown: no but Pundit Arena had an online stream
@Charlie Brown: No thank God
Is it not 5 Irish debutants, or has Muldoon played for the Baa-baas before?