The Serve

Barnes the goods in Wallaby win

Ireland 14 Georgia 10

New Zealand 108 Portugal 13

The future of Australian rugby would seem in safe hands after Berrick Barnes stepped into Steven Larkham’s shoes admirably, playing a pivotal role in the Wallabies 32-20 Rugby World cup win over Wales at Millenium Stadium.

Barnes sliced through the Welsh defence in the sixteenth minute, sending Matt Giteau over for the game’s first try.

Barnes popped a field goal seven minutes later.

A rout looked likely when a bold George Gregan chip kick found Stirling Mortlock, while Chris Latham was on the end of sparkling exchange of passes, scoring in the corner.

Australia led 25-3 at half time.

The Wallabies took their foot off the gas in the second half, allowing Jonathan Thomas to barge over.

Order was restored when Latham spectacularly re-gathered his own kick to land his second try, ensuring a bonus point for Australia.

The rest of the match was dominated by a series of Wallabies indiscretions. At one point, Australia were down to 13 men with Nathan Sharpe and Drew Mitchell sent to the sin bin for separate incidents.

The Welsh got a consolation when Shane Williams crossed near full time.

“Satisfactory. First half we were fine. Second half we dropped off the pace pretty badly,” said coach John Connolly.

“We’ve got a lot to do.”

Stirling Mortlock left the game with a shoulder problem. The skipper will miss the game with Fiji, while regular fly-half Steven Larkham will have an athroscope in his injured knee tomorrow.