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Rugby Union

Barbarian matches 'important for spirit of rugby' says Jones

04/12/2008

Eddie Jones hailed the effort of both the Barbarian and Australian rugby teams following their game at Wembley.

Australia triumphed 18-11 in a match of high intensity and Jones, who helped prepare the Barbarians alongside head coach Jake White, believes the players deserve enormous credit for the attitude and commitment they showed towards a game which, at face value, was little more than a friendly.

"They were playing for absolutely nothing but everyone was putting in 100 per cent," he said.

Australia won after tries from Lote Tuqiri and Lachie Turner and two penalties and a conversion from youngster James O'Conner, but the Barbarians played their part in an entertaining match.

Despite being on the front foot for much of the game the Baa-Baas' response was restricted to a single Jerry Collins try and two penalties from the boot of Percy Montgomery, and this left Jones lamenting his side's inability to convert pressure into points.

However, he said this ultimately made for a "pretty good game of rugby", something he suggested was important not just for the 43,600-strong crowd present but for the game of rugby union as a whole.

"It's important to keep the spirit of rugby going and while these sorts of games don't have any competitive edge they are important [in that respect]," he said.

The Barbarians' latest match was organised to mark the 100th anniversary of the Wallabies' win at the 1908 London Olympic Games.