BaaBaas hold on for thrilling win
Shane Jennings led the Barbarians to a thrilling 22-21 win over a fast-finishing Ireland selection at Thomond Park in Limerick on Thursday.
The BaaBaas, producing mometns of briliance, held on in the face of a strong charge by the Irish in the closing stages – as the teams scored three tries each.
Wales' British and Irish Lions wing Alex Cuthbert scored two tries, while Springbok Zane Kircher produced on of those moments of magic for the BaaBaas's other five-piointer.
The three Irish tries were scored by Craig Gilroy, Chris Henry and replacement Paddy Jackson.
Henry, 30, was playing his first match in an Ireland shirt since undergoing heart surgery last year.
Jackson's try came in the final minute with Ian Madigan drop-kicking the conversion from the touchline.
It meant another one-point game as the Barbarians had beaten Ireland 29-28 three years ago and 31-30 in 2000.
The first half did not witness much of the flamboyant, open and expansive game the Barbarians are known for.
However, a Kirchner chip-and-chase sparked the encounter into life after the break – despite the dour conditions in a damp and uninviting Limerick.
The BaaBaas struck first, early pressure rewarded with Cuthbert getting over inside the opening five minutes. Jimmy Gopperth was wide of the mark with his cionversion attyempt.
The Ireland selection, with a number of players determined to put their hand up for World Cup seklection, reoplied when wing Craig Gilroy went over in the 16th minute. The Ulster wing blitzed onto an Eoin Reddan inside-pass for the try. Ian Madigan slotted the conversion – 7-5.
Both went a man down before the break – Ireland front row forward Jack McGrath for strikling an opponent with the knee and BaaBaas prop Roberto Tejerizo for dangerous popping out the scrum.
The Barbarians regained the lead early in the second half with a fine, flowing attack capped superbly by fullback Kirchner. A good attacking, move saw the ball worked out to the right and Kirchner cut in, collected his chip over opposing wing Dave Kearney and ran on to score. Gopperth converted and added a penalty to give the Baa-Baas a 15-7 advantage.
Ireland hit back through a try scored by openside flank Chris Henry, who suffered a mini-stroke in November. The Ulster back row forward was on the end of a dominant rolling maul, to revive Ireland in the 62nd minute – with Madigan converting to leave them just one point behind.
However, the Barbarians extended their fine record against Irish teams as Cuthbert snapped up his second try. It followed a period of pressure during which the invitational side had several charges at the line. Gopperth converted to leave his team with an eight-point (22-14) lead.
Jackson's score gave Ireland brief hope but, as it turned, came too late to deny the BaaBaas.
The scorers:
For Ireland:
Tries: Gilroy, Henry, Jackson
Cons: Madigan 3
For the Barbarians:
Tries: Cuthbert 2, Kirchner
Cons: Gopperth 2
Pen: Gopperth
Yellow cards: Jack McGrath (Ireland, 25 – foul play, striking with the knee), Roberto Tejerizo (Barbarians, 38 – dangerious play, popping out of the scrum)
The teams:
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Dave Kearney, 13 Colm O'Shea, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip (captain), 7 Chris Henry, 6 Robbie Diack, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Jack McGrath.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Michael Bent, 18 Mike Ross, 19 Ben Marshall, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Paddy Jackson, 23 Cian Kelleher.
Barbarians: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Joe Rokocoko, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 David Smith, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 1 Roberto Tejerizo, 2 Deon Fourie, 3 Adam Jones, 4 Rodrigo Capo Ortega, 5 Konstantin Mikautadze, 6 Shane Jennings (captain), 7 Gerhard Vosloo, 8 Ryu Koliniasi Holani.
Replacements: 16 David Ward, 17 Saimone Taumoepeau, 18 Matias Diaz, 19 Nathan Hines, 20 George Smith, 21 Tomas Cubelli, 22 Tusi Pisi, 23 Gio Aplon.
Referee: Greg Garner (England)
Assistant referees: David Wilkinson (Ireland), Andy Brace (Ireland)
TMO: Dermot Moloney (Ireland)
