Baabaas run in six tries for win

The Barbarians - boasting a swag of former All Blacks and 612 test caps - beat Scotland 40-33 in their international rugby match at Murrayfield, Edinburgh, yesterday.

In traditional style, the match was an open affair, with the Barbarians scoring six tries to five, including one each to captain Taine Randell, fullback Christian Cullen and halfback Mark Robinson.

Other New Zealanders included hooker Anton Oliver, prop Greg Feek and a trio of reserves - lock Brad Mika, hooker Matt Sexton and winger Bruce Reihana.

Both teams attempted to run the ball at all costs, but Scotland looked vulnerable when the Baabaas countered.

The Baabaas opened the scoring when scrum-half Robinson snaffled the ball from Scottish opposite Chris Cusiter.

His over-the-shoulder pass found Fijian winger Vilimoni Delasau, who ran in unchallenged from the halfway line.

The visitors soon crossed for a second after the Irish duo of Brian O'Driscoll and Shane Horgan combined to put Delasau away in space. When the Fijian was brought down short, Robinson scooped up the ball to score.

Scotland struck back when Cusiter intercepted a stray pass and put first five-eighth Dan Parks over for their first try of the night.

Cullen and Robinson then combined to put Horgan over for the Baabaas' third.

The big Ireland winger went over for his second two minutes later after former Springboks skipper Bob Skinstad began a sweeping move down the field.

The pace never let up in the second half, Scotland closing the deficit early after the restart when Hogg forced his way over the line, but they again let the Baabaas pull away when Skinstad put Cullen over.

Scotland hit back with two tries through fullback Chris Paterson and Allan Jacobsen.

Randell restored the advantage, finishing off a neat move before Hogg burst through a gap to score his second try under the posts.

Scotland continued to apply the pressure, but the Barbarians' defence held firm for the win.

- NZPA