World champions Australia ended their disappointing European tour on a high against the Barbarians, but it didn't look as though it was going their way when they fell 14 points behind in the first half.

It was a first half that had everything, however, including eight tries and 56 points in all, and the World Champions, although showing few of their front line stars, gave the Millennium Stadium crowd something to marvel at.

Wing Scott Staniforth led the way with a hat-trick of touchdowns, while tries from Chris Latham, Elton Flatley, Toutai Kefu and Ben Tune followed. Flatley also kicked five conversions before going off at half-time,

The Barbarian's - containing 14 internationals - played their part with South African wing Breyton Paulse also claiming three tries, and French centre Stephane Glas and Newcastle forward Pat Lam adding further touchdowns

Leeds-bound fly-half Braam van Straaten booted all five conversions and the closing minutes belonged to the invitation side after they had been heavily out-scored for the game's middle period. The Barbarians also had the satisfaction of scoring the game's outstanding try, a brilliant 30th-minute effort from 70 metres out.

It was started by Welsh prop Darren Morris's audacious chip and chase which lock Mark Andrews took on at pace, and then it was time for the speed merchants to take over. Stefan Terblanche carried possession into Australia's 22, and after the magnificent French flanker Olivier Magne acted as the final link, Paulse finished off the job.

That try put the Barbarians back in front at 21-14, yet the Wallabies then conjured up three tries during a devastating six-minute spell before the break, two from Staniforth and one by centre Toutai Kefu, normally Australia's Test number eight.

The pace naturally had to slow in the second half , but Australia's greater cohesiveness and understanding saw them pull away when Tune and Staniforth again touched down. They finished with their highest ever points total against the Barbarians, surpassing the 40 they managed in Cardiff 13 years ago, and it was also their fifth successive victory since 1984.

Barbarians: Montgomery, Paulse, Glas, Howard, Terblanche, van Straaten, Howley, Morris, Ibanez, Young, Jones, Andrews, Krige, Magne, P. Miller.
Tries: Paulse 3, Glas, Lam. Cons: van Straaten 5.

Australia: Latham, Tune, S. Kefu, T. Kefu, Staniforth, Flatley, Gregan, Young, Cannon, Moore, Harrison, Bowman, Connors, G. Smith, Lyons.
Tries: Latham, Flatley, Staniforth 3, T. Kefu, Tune. Cons: Flatley 5, Edmonds 2.