Paia'Aua helps Australia to 31-28 win over Barbarians

by The TRU Team Saturday 28 October 2017

Australia 31-28 Barbarians, Sydney Football Stadium
Scorecard

Fly-half Duncan Paia'Aua contributed with 16 points as Australia managed to beat Barbarians 31-28 in the exhibition game at Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday.

Paia'Aua provided a head start to the Wallabies with an eighth minute try. Barbarians were denied a try in the 21st minute when Taniela Tupou used the "up the jumper" ruse that was banned by World Rugby in 1975.

However, the visitors upped the ante when Andrew Ready (24'), Taqele Naiyaravoro (26') and Thomas Banks (29') also crossed over with Quade Cooper slotting all the three conversions to take them to a 16 point lead.

Australia's second try came through winger Henry Speight at the stroke of half time as they reduced the trail to nine points heading into the second half.

The home side narrowed down the gap down to four points with a 53rd minute try from Jack Dempsey and soon a converted try from Paia'Aua put the Wallabies three points clear.

Even though Naiyaravoro scored his second try in the game to keep Barbarians in the game, a double sin-bin to the winger and Cooper in the 70th and 71st minute respectively allowed Australia to bounce back with Stephen Moore scoring the decisive try to complete a three point victory.