Wales defeats the Barbarians 49–26 in Cardiff to bid retiring legends a fitting farewell.
Cardiff Blues huddle.
Hooker Wing at Dewi Lake The fly-half and Tom Rogers Before Simione Kuruvoli scored for the Barbarians, Sam Costelow scored for Wales in the first half, giving the home team a commanding 21-5 lead at the half.
After the break, Taine Plumtree gave the home team a fourth try, and then Aaron Wainwright and Kieran Hardy increased their lead.
With 170 international caps—158 for Wales and 12 Tests for the Lions—and flanker Justin Tipuric, the most capped player in world rugby, Alun Wyn Jones, were also bidding farewell to Welsh rugby.
But it was made public just hours before the match that Fiji international Api Ratuniyarawa, who was chosen to start on the bench for the Barbarians, had entered a courtroom to face charges of sexual assault.
The 37-year-old was freed on bond and is scheduled to appear on December 4 at Cardiff Crown Court.
When retiring halfpenny was replaced for Kieran Hardy in the 65th minute, he put on an incredible show, converting five tries and earning a standing ovation from the spectators.
Jones, the player of the match, led the Barbarians, who included flanker Tipuric among their teammates, and scored a try.
While Jones is currently with the French club Toulon and Tipuric is still a vital player with the Ospreys, Halfpenny is now expected to move to Super Rugby heavyweights the Crusaders.
Wales head coach Gatland said, “For the three of them, to have that game here in the stadium was incredibly special.”
“I thought the audience did a fantastic job of recognizing that as well.
“I felt Tips [Tipuric] played really well today; at the breakdown, he gave us some trouble. When I told him that later, he responded, “The old boy still has life in him.”
Al [Jones] in addition. To be fair, they put some pressure on us, but it was an enjoyable game.
“We discussed keeping Leigh on for eighty minutes, but there was a chance to take him off. The standing ovation, in my opinion, was a testament to him as a person as well as a rugby player.”
Wales led by just two points when Jones crossed early in the second half, and Nicolas Sanchez added a double from the conversion.
Changes Wales scored touchdowns in the second half through Taine Plumtree, Aaron Wainwright, and Hardy (two), with two more conversions apiece from Halfpenny and Cai Evans.
Ben Donaldson’s conversion attempt from Barbarians flanker Tom Hooper also resulted in a try, but it was unsuccessful.
“You have to be pretty happy to score 49 points. With some of the opportunities we created in the first half, we probably left a few out there,” Gatland continued.
we executed an excellent lineout, both offensively and defensively, and we scrummaged well. We got better at the game as it went on.
“There were moments when I felt we did a good job of defending and denying them chances. However, there were also moments when their off-loading game put us under pressure, which made us anxious.
“I am happy with this group of players and where we are right now.
“As a team, we have expectations for ourselves and are setting standards for ourselves moving forward.
“We are aware that the upcoming Six Nations will present challenges, but with perseverance and hard work, we can overcome these obstacles and win games.” In the World Cup, we demonstrated that.”
