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Barbarians entertain Prague with 11-try win against Czech Republic

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Czech Republic 0 Barbarians 71: The Barbarians ran in 11 tries as they entertained fans in Eastern Europe in the biggest game in the Czech Republic’s rugby history.

The famous invitation club came to celebrate the host union’s 90th anniversary at the Marketa Stadium in Prague, the first game televised by state TV in the country.

Broadcast highlights included elusive running that brought two tries apiece for the Budvar man of the match Melani Nanai (Blues), centre Matt Faddes (Highlanders), fly half Richard Mo’unga (Crusaders) and Kwagga Smith (Lions).

The other scores came from Toby Smith, Sam Carter and Schalk van der Merwe. Robert du Preez (Lions) added six conversions and Mo’unga two.

Visiting Prague was about more than the game, with the Barbarians holding an outreach session for local children and Head Coach Robbie Deans engaging with local coaches throughout the three-day trip.

Melani Nanai

The Czech Republic have a handful of players involved professionally in France and they drove around the ruck and attacked from set pieces in the opening quarter.

So Kwagga Smith’s try following scrum half Nik Stirzaker’s break, Mo’unga converting, was all the Barbarians had to show for the first 24 minutes of hard work.

Then they found some fluency in the remainder of the first half with four tries in the space of 15 minutes.

Toby Smith barged over after Stirzaker’s inside ball, Faddes cruised through some static defenders from long range before Sam Carter added another close-range effort.

Nanai’s was the pick of the bunch - a 60 metre gliding run followed by a killer sidestep to the line - and conversions from Mo’unga and du Preez made it 31-0 at the interval.

Kwagga Smith, Mo’unga and Faddes all struck early in the second half before the Czechs enjoyed their best spell of the game, reorganising their defence and driving for the line with second rows Miroslav Nemecek and Robert Voves their mainstays.

They were punished, though, when Mo’unga chipped ahead, regathered and dodged over 12 minutes from time and Montpellier prop Schalk van der Merwe was up in support to receive wing Luke Morahan’s assist to score the 10th try.

Nanai squeezed over in the corner for for No.11 before the Barbarians and their opponents paraded around the stadium in front of 7,300 supporters.

Czech Republic: Michal Schlanger; Jakub Zalud, (Martin Charvat 58) Jan Rohlik, Jiri Pantucek, Karen Berounsky; Vaclav Jursik, Marek Simak (Vachtang Pailodze 58); Lukas Rapant (Emilio Calderoni 75), Ondrej Kutil (Hubert Drimal 75), Martin Havlicek (Pavel Elis 62), Miroslav Nemecek (Jan Olbrich 75), Robert Voves, Vojtech Hruska, Vojtech Mara, Vojtech Havel.

Barbarians: Clayton Blommetjies (Cheetahs); Luke Morahan (Force & Australia), Matt Faddes (Highlanders), Robert du Preez (Stormers), Melani Nanai (Blues); Richard Mo’unga (Crusaders), Nic Stirzaker (Rebels); Schalk van der Merwe (Montpellier); Andrew Ready (Reds), Toby Smith (Rebels & Australia; Ben Franks (London Irish & New Zealand) 63), Dan Tuohy (Ulster & Ireland, captain), Martin Muller (Lions), Sam Carter (Brumbies & Australia), Kwagga Smith (Lions), Ruan Ackermann (Lions).

Replacements (not used): Akker van der Merwe (Lions), Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes), Ben Franks (London Irish & New Zealand), Michael Fatialofa (Hurricanes), Brad Shields (Hurricanes), Andy Ellis (Crusaders/Kobelco & New Zealand), Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), Richard Buckman (Highlanders & Panasonic).

Scorers: Tries K Smith 2, Faddes 2, Mo’unga 2, Nanai 2, T Smith, S van der Merwe, Carter. Cons: Du Preez 6, Mo’unga 2.