Australian Barbarians 38-14 Canada, Gold Coast, August 26
Wallabies power Barbarians' victory
ESPNscrum Staff
August 26, 2011
The Australian Barbarians' Berrick Barnes exploits some space, Australian Barbarians v Canada, Skilled Park, Gold Coast, Australia, August 26, 2011
The Australian Barbarians' Berrick Barnes exploits some space © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Berrick Barnes | Drew Mitchell | James Slipper
Teams: Australia | Canada

A Wallabies-laden Australian Barbarians side cruised to a 38-14 victory over Rugby World Cup-bound Canada at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast last night.

Australia coach Robbie Deans will have been among the keen observers with seven of his World Cup squad using the game to prove their fitness in the shadow of the Wallabies' Tri-Nations decider with New Zealand in Brisbane.

Waratahs winger Drew Mitchell played his first full game since returning from a severe leg injury and grabbed a try while hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and tight-head prop James Slipper clocked up over an hour of game time. Centre Rob Horne grabbed a try during his 40 minute cameo and has subsequently been added to the Wallabies bench for the clash with the All Blacks.

Fly-half Berrick Barnes also starred throughout and finished with a personal tally of 13 points courtesy of a try and four conversions. However, it was a notable Wallabies squad casualty, Reds inside centre Ben Tapuai, who stole the show, playing a part in three of his side's first half tries as well as grabbing one for himself after the break.

Rod Davies and Matt Hodgson also notched tries for the Barbarians while DTH van der Merwe and Phil Mackenzie grabbed five-pointers for the visitors that were converted by fly-half James Pritchard.

The game served as a final hit-out for the Canucks before their World Cup campaign kicks off against Tonga in Whangarei on September 14. They enter the sport's showpiece event on the back of a final appearance in this year's Churchill Cup and back-to-back victories over the United States.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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