Matfield's BaaBaas ready for Pumas
The BaaBaas' backline was well directed by Springbok flyhalf Pat Lambie, who collected a 13-point haul in the 10-try win.
"Getting this game under our belts will definitely help us going into Saturday," said Matfield, whose side played attacking rugby despite strong winds – reaching up to 88km/h.
"Conditions weren't too easy but the boys played well and the Gloucester boys gave it their best shot too."
Matfield, who will join Premiership side Northampton next week and who was replaced during the game by long-standing Bok second row partner Bakkies Botha, praised the spirit of the Barbarians.
"To get out there and have the freedom to play what you see in front of you is what's great about the Barbarians," he said.
"There are guys from other countries who are among the best in the world who you get a chance to play with. Just to see what they do is fantastic.
"To have this kind of team playing just two weeks after a World Cup, when everybody is supposed to have a holiday, tells you that the players want to be here. They love playing for this team. It's just fantastic."
First-half tries for the Barbarians from Nemani Nadolo, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Joe Tomane (2) and Ryan Crotty were followed by second-half touchdowns for Lodewyk de Jager, Ardie Savea, Waisake Naholo, Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Lambie.
The Barbarians' coach for the week, Australia boss Michael Cheika, said: "The players did well given the jet lag. The crowd got well entertained – by both sides."
Gloucester scored through flank Dan Thomas and a late penalty try.
The scorers:
Gloucester
Tries: Thomas, Penalty try
Cons: Evans 2
Barbarians:
Tries: Nadolo, Milner-Shudder, Tomane 2, Crotty, De Jager, Savea, Naholo, Kerr-Barlow, Lambie
Cons: Lambie 4, Sopoaga, Savea
Teams:
Gloucester: 15 Mat Protheroe, 14 Harry Robinson, 13 Olly Thorley, 12 Tim Molenaar, 11 Steph Reynolds, 10 Lloyd Evans, 9 Ben Vellacott, 8 Lewis Ludlow, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 Elliott Stooke, 5 Tom Hicks, 4 Joe Latta, 3 Nicky Thomas, 2 Darren Dawidiuk, 1 Nick Wood (captain).
Replacements: 16 Henry Walker, 17 Dan Murphy, 18 Josh McNulty, 19 Alex Craig, 20 Will Safe, 21 Harry Randall, 22 Jack Spencer, 23 Jack Evans.
Barbarians: 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Joe Tomane, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jarrad Butler, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Stephen Hoiles, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Victor Matfield (captain), 3 Toby Smith, 2 James Hanson, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Replacements from: Stephen Moore, Thomas du Toit, Charlie Faumuina, Bakkies Botha, Scott Fardy, Tawera Kerr Barlow, Lima Sopoaga, Tevita Kuridrani, Waisake Naholo.
Referee: Dean Richards (England)
Assistant referees: Fergus Kirby (England), Jonathan Healy (England)
By Tom Bradshaw, a freelance sports journalist based in the UK
@tombradshaw1979
