Australian Schools lose to NZ Barbarians

The Australian Schools have suffered their second loss on tour falling 24-5 to the New Zealand Barbarian Under-18 side at Auckland’s Sacred Heart College on Saturday 29 September.
 
The Australian Schools side is now 1-2 on tour following an initial 18-9 loss to the Fijian President’s XV and a 29-12 win over Fijian Schools.
 
Saturday’s match started at a hectic pace with both teams guilty of early errors due to dominant defence and aggression at the breakdown.
 
It took until the 22nd minute of the first half for the first points to be scored with a good try to New Zealand openside flanker Mitchell Karpik, after he backed up a line break following an Australian missed tackle.
 
New Zealand flyhalf Damien McKenzie converted the try for a 7-0 lead midway through the first half.
 
The Australians toiled hard for the remainder of the first half and finally crossed for their only five points of the match before half time thanks to a sweeping backline move, which enabled Australia’s John Porch to break away and touch down in the left hand corner.
 
The second half saw New Zealand’s Mckenzie add a further three points early to take a 10-5 lead.
 
The match then heated up with both teams demonstrating their attacking prowess but it was the Barbarians who added further to their total after a tight head scrum win adjacent to the posts.
 
New Zealand scrumhalf Leon Fukofula darted down the side untouched to score the Barbarians’ second try in the 58th minute.
 
McKenzie again converted for a 17-5 lead.
 
The Australians never gave up but it was the Barbarian defence that won the day, repelling many raids from the tourists.
 
The Barbarian team made the most of their attacking opportunities and scored their third and final try in the 65th minute through replacement back Michael Green.
 
Once again, McKenzie converted the try taking the score to 24-5.
 
The Australian Schools side will now face Samoan Schools on 2 October before closing the tour against New Zealand Schools on 6 October. 

Australian Schools 5 – NZ Barbarians 24
Australian Schools try – John Porch
NZ Barbarians tries – Mitchell Karpik, Leon Fukofula, Michael Green.
NZ Barbarians conversions – Damien McKenzie (3)
NZ Barbarians penalty goals – Mckenzie.

Australian Schools side v NZ Barbarians

 Reserves

Staff

 Australian Schools Tour Schedule 2012