29 May 2011
Wow. Obviously I only say "wow" because I was there enjoying it live not on the TV, although I did catch a glimpse of Lazenby and co. My headline says most of the story really, except for who won but who won this game doesn't seem to important really. I think the quality of play was great yet surprising at the same time because of the "England Saxons" lineup.
Trinder got the ball rolling from the word go and proved his point to Stuart Lancaster and also Martin Johnson who observed. He broke through early on and Hodgson added the extras. 7-0. Monye and Johnson also added points for England. Simpson-Daniel showed off his skill to the England selectors after linking well with colleague at Kingsholm, Narraway. Hodgson managed just 3 of the 4 available conversions. However, he more than made up for his one mistake with 6 points from kicks at post.
The Baa Baas did somewhat better.
With a bamboozling, 6 tries, the Baa Baas did snatch the game. Visser was my man of the match with two spectacular tries, one of which one the game for the Barbarians. Baby, Michalak, Smith and Van Niekerk also scored. Michalak converted 3 of the 6 and Ulster's Ruan Pienaar also kicked 1 conversion.
Check out my Youtube page, Samify08 later on tonight and tomorrow morning. I will upload a clip of Visser's match winning try from the scrum that started it and Faryl Smith singing prior to the game.
FT: 38-32 to Baa Baas
HT: 24-14 to England
S5 MOTM: Tim Visser (Baa Baas) James Simpson-Daniel (England)
Ref: Christophe Berdos
Location: Twickenham, London, UK
