Wales work hard to edge BaaBaas
Shane and Martyn Williams bowed out of the international rugby stage as Wales beat the Barbarians 30-21 in their clash at the Millenium Stadium on Saturday.
By taking the unusual – and indeed controversial – step of awarding this match full Test status, the Welsh Rugby Union paved the way for loose forward Martyn Williams to win his 100th cap as a second-half replacement.
Teenager Harry Robinson, making his Wales debut, scored a fine try 10 minutes into the match but the hosts failed to build on the 19-year-old wing's effort and it needed a 20-point effort from playmaker James Hook, plus a late Aled Brew try, to see the Six Nations Grand Slam champions to victory.
New Zealand World Cup-winner Stephen Donald scored two tries for the Barbarians, and fellow halfback Richie Rees also crossed, with the All Blacks hero kicking all three conversions.
For wing star Shane Williams this was, he assured fans, a definite final appearance before retirement, after he bowed out in Wales colours against Australia during a 24-18 defeat by the Wallabies in November.
Last week his try two minutes from time saw Welsh regional side the Ospreys beat European champions Leinster to win the Celtic League final, but there were no such heroics on Saturday in front of a crowd of 57,000.
"I'm retired from rugby, it was my last, last game – honestly!," Williams told the BBC.
Martyn Williams, asked if was his farewell too, added: "Yeah, definitely – I'll be up there watching this time next year."
Barbarians coach John Kirwan, reflecting on the match, said: "We got off to a slow start but then the last 60 minutes were pretty special.
"We adjusted to the pace of the game and we fixed things that were going wrong," the former New Zealand wing added.
"There were a couple of Barbarians-style decisions no to take shots at goals but that's why we are here.
"It was an outstanding performance and I am sure everyone is happy about the spectacle and the Welsh guys are happy to have had a good hit out before their tour," explained Kirwan, the former Italy and Japan coach.
The scorers:
For the Barbarians:
Tries: Donald 2, Rees
Cons: Donald 3
For Wales:
Tries: Robinson, Brew, Hook
Cons: Hook 3
Pens: Hook 3
Teams:
Barbarians: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Isa Nacewa, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Mike Tindall, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Richie Rees, 8 John Beattie, 7 Mamuka Gorgodze, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Mick O'Driscoll, 3 John Smit (captain), 2 Benoit August, 1 Duncan Jones.
Replacements: 16 Aled De Malmanche, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Anton Van Zyl, 19 Akapusi Qera, 20 Rory Lawson, 21 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 22 Cedric Heymans.
Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Harry Robinson, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 James Hook, 11 Aled Brew, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 Ryan Jones, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Josh Turnbull, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Alun Wyn Jones, 3 Rhodri Jones, 2 Matthew Rees (captain), 1 Rhys Gill.
Replacements: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Paul James, 18 Aaron Shingler, 19 Martyn Williams, 20 Rhys Webb, 21 Adam Warren, 22 Will Harries.
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
