Barbarians round off their tour in six-try style
AKKER van der Merwe scored a brace of tries as the Barbarians rounded off their 2016 tour with a comprehensive victory over Fiji in Belfast on Friday night.
In the space of seven days, the famous invitation club drew 31-31 with South Africa, beat the Czech Republic 71-0 in Prague and then claimed the scalp of the Fijians who were warming up to face England at Twickenham next week.
The treacherous conditions made it hard for both sides to play fluently but the Baa Baas still scored six tries with Lions hooker Van der Merwe striking twice and the others coming from Mattt Faddes, Andy Ellis, Richard Mo’unga and Luke Morahan with man-of-thematch Robert du Preez adding five conversions.
Fiji struggled throughout a rain-soaked first half before sparking briefly into life after the break with Waisea Nayacalevu touching down and Nemani Nadolo converting.
“It was a brilliant day,” said Ireland’s Tommy Bowe who started at outside centre for the Barbarians on his home ground.
“Despite the weather I think we put on a great show. We looked exciting when we got the ball. It caps off a great couple of weeks.”
The Barbarians made a dramatic start, squeezing Fiji into errors and scoring twice inside the first six minutes.
Van der Merwe got his first when they drove over from a close-range lineout inside 120 seconds, then Ben Volavola’s clearance was charged down by Jordan Taufua and the ball regathered for Faddes to strike. Du Preez converted both, the latter with a drop goal from the touchline.
Van der Merwe got his second after 17 minutes, this time after a stampeding run from Taqele Naiyaravoro and World Cup winner Ellis sniped off the side of a ruck midway through the half for the fourth try.
Another two du Preez conversions put the Barbarians 28-0 up but Fiji came back into an increasingly scrappy game after the interval after replacing fly half Volavola with Nemia Kenatale.
The Islanders got on the board in the 54th minute, turning the ball over 30 metres out and attacking with Akapusi Qera’s carry setting up Nayacalevu.
They had chances after that but the Barbarians cantered home, Mo’unga getting over and Morahan sliding in to touch down a well-weighted chip.