By Henry Jacobs

The Australian U20’s have defeated the Australian Barbarians 47-19 in an impressive performance at Chatswood Oval on Tuesday night.

In their final match before travelling to Italy for the 2015 World Rugby Under 20 Championships coach Adrian Thompson said there  were plenty of positives to take away from the match.

“It’s a big improvement from where we were at Bond [University], we had some time to prepare and defensively we were really good,” Thompson said.

“They scored one freakish try and a couple of pick and drives but in general we were much better.”

Steady rain in the hours before the match made for slippery conditions in hand and underfoot, but after a slow start the young Wallabies were able to compose themselves to post a substantial win.

“It was a little bit scrappy and there’s plenty to work on, but a wins a win so we’ll take it and move on,” U20’s captain Andrew Kellaway said.

“We’ll go over the tape and have a look at those [errors] and hopefully we can fix them up, no doubt we’ll be ready to roll by the time we get to Italy.”

An injury to Melbourne Rebels fullback Jonah Placid was the only dampener on the victory, however his substitution looked to be precautionary as he walked unassisted to the change-rooms at the end of the game.

Watching from the stands, ARU CEO Bill Pulver was impressed with the side’s preparation ahead of their departure.

“I think these games are enormously important, typically what a coach would worry about, given the quality of competition you are going to get at the World Championship, is going over underprepared or without enough solid games under their belt,” Pulver told Rugby News.

“47-19 against a pretty good Barbarians team, I think the coach will be pleased with a good solid hit out before they head to Italy.”

A double to Easts’ (Brisbane) flanker Michael Gunn and tries from Randwick’s Ned Hannigan and Melbourne University’s Fereti Saaga set the tone for the U20’s in a dominant first half.

The Barbarians could only manage one score, through a superb individual chip and chase by Brothers’ winger Sam Hyne, to trail 26-7 at the break.

Michael Magripilis’ side started the second half strongly as Bond University number eight Nuku’alofa Swerling burrowed over from close range.

But the U20’s were soon back at it as University of Queensland pivot James Dalgleish found space out wide to score on the left hand side.

Wests Scarborough second row Riley Winter and Tuggeranong prop Tyrell Lomax both capitalised on poor clearance kicks to take an unassailable lead.

The Barbarians scored a late try to bring the score to 47-19, in a performance that impressed coach Michael Magripilis, considering his sides limited preparation.

“It’s a tough gig but I’m really glad that the clubs put up these players and they put up their hands to play,” Barbarians coach Michael Magripilis said.

“We’ve had a number of our blokes over the years go through to Super Rugby and now with the NRC, this is hopefully pushing their cases a bit more.”

“It’s a great honour to be picked in an Australian Barbarians team and have a run against the Australian U20’s . . . they should be very proud of their performance,” Bill Pulver said.

The U20’s now travel to the Australian Institute of Sport’s European Training Centre in the Italian town of Gavirate to prepare for their June 3 Pool B clash with Samoa in Parma.

Australian U20’s: 47

Tries: Michael Gunn (2), Ned Hannigan, Fereti Saaga, James Dalgleish, Riley Winter, Tyrell Lomax

Conversions: Andrew Deegan 3/4, James Dalgleish 3/3

Australian Barbarians: 19

Tries: Sam Hyne, Nuku’alofa Swerling, Substitute

Conversions: Mitch Walton 2/3

2015 World Rugby Under 20s World Championship Fixtures

Australia v Samoa, June 3, 2:30AM (AEST)

Australia v Italy, June 7, 6:30AM (AEST)

Australia v South Africa, June 11, 6:30AM (AEST)