THE Dyno Nobel Queensland Outback Barbarians have launched into their 2018 US tour downing the Dallas Harlequins in a dominant, and at times, physical encounter.
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Played in hot and steamy conditions in uptown Dallas, the Barbas took to the field full of enthusiasm and go forward in a game that showed plenty of cohesion and on-field communication for the touring team’s first-time outing.
Leading 48-0 and the break and 72-14 at final bell, the visitors showed that rugby skills practiced in country Queensland match it anywhere in the world.
First points came just two minutes into play when the Outback Barbarians recovered a kick. After three phases the ball wet wide through Andrew Kennedy (Burdekin) to flying winger Dudley Miles (Cairns), who used his feet to step several Dallas Harlequins to score in the corner.
Two minutes later – and again after excellent build up in the forwards – the ball went across the field to winger Adam Conway (Gladstone) who crashed over for the for the first of his three.
Three minutes later, and on the back of even more great control ball by the forwards, blindside flanker Sam Schmidt (Mudgee) broke through the line to ran 20m to go in beside the posts.
During the first half the forwards controlled the ruck and appeared headed a blowout win with 48 unanswered points on the board.
To the delight of the Quin’s supporters the game took an abrupt U-turn after the break on the back of a large number of position changes made by coach Mike Bishop.
The cohesion the Outback Barbas had shown in the first 40 appeared to evaporate with the Quins controlling the ruck through plenty of clever pilfering.
Showing obvious signs of jet lag, it was only the Outback Barbas commitment to scrambling defense that kept the Quins at bay.
However, the relentless attack by the homeside was not to be denied. The Quins put on two well deserved tries, adding some some respectability to the one-sided score.
Some behind the goal line soul searching must have worked with the Outback Barbas putting on five unanswered tries to end the day.
No.10 Andrew Kennedy (Burdekin) serviced by the hard working forward pack was the stand-out on the field, controlling the play with some very astute ball handling that had the opposition guessing.
Other big contributors on the paddock included centre Sam Fairweather (Hervey Bay), back-rower Tim McClymont (Mt Isa), and Leonard Heron (Burdekin).
The Outback Barbas now have a two day break before lining up against Houston Athletic Club on May 24.
The tourists then head down to Louisiana to take on New Orleans in what is being billed as the game of the tour. New Orleans is the only team ever to have ever beat the Outback Barbarians twice.
- Outback Barbarians 72 (Tries: Adam Conway 3, Sam Fairweather, Dudley Miles, Sean Fitzpatrick, Leonard Heron, Tom Hewitt, Jesse Meinicke, Sam Schmidt, and Barney Watts) d Dallas Harlequins 14.