BMW Australian Schools Barbarians Defeated Tonga Under 18 ^Featured

The first ten minutes of the match saw both sides make attacking forays into each other’s 22, but strong defence from both teams denied points.

It took some good lead up work from the Barbarians to form a ruck close to the Tongan line with Nick Brown (Knox Grammar School) crashing over to score. Luke Rixon (The Shore School) converted (7 – 0). Two minutes later the backs showed their skill with quick hands through the backs for fullback Mackenzie Hansen (Daramalan College) to finish a slick backline move, converted by Luke Rixon (14 – 0).

From the restart Tonga regained and worked down into the Barbarians 22. From a line out the Tongans moved close and after a couple of phases lock Lisiate Sosefo Tai (Tupou College) scored first for the visitors (14 – 5).

In the 23rd Minute the Barbarians had a scrum just inside the Tongan 22. Halfback, Tyzac Jordan (Waverley College) saw an opportunity to his right and with a step eluded the defence to score under the posts. Converted by Luke Rixon (21 – 5)

It took another seven minutes of the game moving backwards and forwards until Barbarian winger Jordan Petaia made a break and chipped over the top with a Tongan defensive lineout on their 5 metre line. The Barbarians won the lineout and from the resulting maul Captain Matthew Faessler (Toowoomba Grammar) scored. (26-5)

Right on half time the Tongans regrouped and after several phases found a hole in the Barbarians defences with centre Manoa Latu (Tonga College) crossing the line with a conversion by Levi Fakatava (Apifoou College) with a half time score 26 – 12.

Shortly after the second half restart Dylan Pietsch (the King’s School) scored under the posts for the Barbarians and Rixon kicked his fourth conversion (33-12)

The Tongans lifted and scored twice within 3 minutes. Lock Sione Vuna (Tonga College) scored taking advantage of some solid attack by the Tongan forwards to cross the line. From the restart the Tongan’s regained and worked their way down to be held up over the line. From the resulting 5 metre scrum and a couple phase Vuna crossed again. both tries were converted by Sione Wolfgram (Tonga College), putting the Tongans within 6 points of the Barbarians (33-26).

The Barbarians replied with stronger defence and kept the ball down in the Tongan half. Jordan Petaia made a break from half way to cross the line out wide (38-26). This was the final try of the game but both teams continued to look for scoring opportunities until full time.

Tongan Best Forward – Poletaki ‘Atuekaho (Tonga College)

Tongan Best Back – Manoa Latu (Tonga College)

Barbarians Best Forward – Matthew Faessler (Toowoomba Grammar)

Barbarians Best Back – Luke Rixon (The Shore School)

-Australian Schools Rugby