Barbarians 48-42 World XV: Seta Tamanivalu bags brace as Eddie Jones wins on Twickenham return
Seta Tamanivalu bagged a brace as Eddie Jones’ Barbarians saw off Steve Hansen’s World XV 48-42 at Twickenham.
The Barbarians ran in eight tries to the World XV’s six in west London, with Wales talisman Alun Wyn Jones appearing in one of his last matches anywhere.
The 170-cap lock will turn out for the Barbarians at Swansea on Wednesday, and could even feature again for the touring outfit in November.
But he has retired from professional rugby, will not go to the autumn’s World Cup with Wales, and enjoyed a light-hearted swansong here.
His two late – failed – conversion attempts summed up the end-of-season fare, but also the high regard with which the powerful tight-five forward is held.
Seb Negri set the World XV off and running, before Adam Radwan capped a rolling maul for the Barbarians.
Sbu Nkosi crossed from Semi Radradra’s one-handed flick for Hansen’s World side, then Api Ratuniyarawa put the World XV 21-5 ahead.
Tevita Li crossed for the Barbarians next, before Israel Folau finished Adam Hastings’ fine crossfield punt.
That had the World XV leading 28-12, but the Barbarians rallied quickly.
Seta Tamanivalu, Stephan Lewies and Gareth Anscombe all ran home for the BaaBaas, to steal a 31-28 lead that Jones’ men took into the interval.
Replacement scrum-half Francois Hougaard stretched the Barbarians lead to 38-28 to open the second-half.
Bryn Hall crossed for the World XV to end a run of 26 unanswered points from the Barbarians, with Rhys Patchell’s conversion leaving the Barbarians leading just 38-35.
Replacement Sam Johnson barreled over to put the Barbarians back into a 43-35 lead – with Wyn Jones delighting the crowd in attempting the conversion, only to shank his effort.
Nkosi dotted down at short range from a wide pass as the World XV refused to relent however, with Patchell’s conversion cutting the Barbarians’ lead to one point at 43-42.
Tamanivalu powered home again for his second score however, to seal the Barbarians’ 48-42 victory.
Wyn Jones again attempted the conversion, exhorting the crowd to clap him into the effort.
But just as with the previous attempt, this was scuffed wide.
