Wallabies crush Barbarians

Story and Photo: www.allblacks.com \ Getty

Australia ran in eight tries on their way to a 60-11 thrashing of the Barbarians at Twickenham on Saturday.

First five-eighths James O'Connor was the architect of the win, landing eight from nine with the boot as the Tri Nations champions easily disposed of an underwhelming Barbarians outfit in a perfect warm-up for next week's Test against Wales.

Digby Ioane, Lachie Turner and James Horwill all crossed for two tries, while Radike Samo and Rob Horne also scored.English rugby league gun Sam Tomkins scored the hosts' only try in his first union match.

In their first outing since finishing third at the Rugby World Cup, the Wallabies missed three glorious chances in the first half.Turner, O'Connor and Scott Higginbotham threw sloppy passes as the Wallabies endured a sloppy opening stanza.

When they did take their chances, O'Connor converted Ioane's try before Turner crossed in the corner as Australia went into the break with an 18-3 lead.

They cruised in the second half, running in tries at ease, with Horne crossing after a blind offload from Danny Cipriani went straight to him.

Horwill went over, while Ioane crossed despite the attention of several tackles, and Samo completed the comprehensive win before Tomkins' try.

Barbarians captain Victor Matfield bowed out of the game as he retired from top-class rugby, while Bryan Habana and Robbie Fruean produced the few highlights for their team.

The Wallabies meet Wales in a replay of their bronze final clash from the World Cup in Cardiff next Saturday.