Monday, June 18, 2012

Melbourne

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Wallabies snatch victory over Wales

Berrick Barnes of the Wallabies breaks passed the defence during the International Test Match between the Australian Wallabies and Wales at Etihad Stadium on June 16, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia.
( June 15, 2012 - Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Australia's replacement pivot Mike Harris killed off Wales' hopes of keeping their Test series alive after slotting a last-gasp penalty kick to steal a 25-23 win in Melbourne.
It was a sad case of close but no cigar for the Welsh who came within seconds of winning Down Under for the first time in 43 years and set up a series decider.
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Nathan Sharpe of the Wallabies is tackled.
( June 15, 2012 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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However, Harris - on for Berrick Barnes - was called upon to provide the killer blow for the Wallabies after a maul was ruled to have been dragged down and Australia's New Zealand-born super sub didn't disappoint.
The defeat left a devasted Wales outfit once again reflecting on a golden chance gone begging in a thrilling encounter that saw the lead change hands nine times as the match went down to the wire.
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Digby Ioane of the Wallabies takes a high ball.
( June 15, 2012 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Man of the match: For Wales, Leigh Halfpenny kept his side in the hunt thanks to a flawless kicking display and perhaps would've been awarded this gong had Wales won. However, the official man of the match award went to new dad Berrick Barnes and it's hard to argue against it. Australia's number ten set up the Wallabies' only try of the match and contributed 17 points before being replaced.
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Moment of the match: We're pretty sure every pub in Wales now have a picture of Mike Harris on the bullseye of their dartboards following the replacement's match-winning kick in extra time.
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Villain of the match: Mike Harris - we were looking forward to seeing the series head into a decider next weekend! But we won't hold it against you... too much.

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Berrick Barnes of the Wallabies looks to pass the ball during the International Test Match between the Australian Wallabies and Wales at Etihad Stadium on June 16, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia.
( June 15, 2012 - Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Oh, baby! Wallabies, Barnes will long remember June 16
At midday on Saturday, an emotionally drained Berrick Barnes was holding his newborn premature baby at the Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick. Test football was the last thing on his mind.
Ten hours later in Melbourne, Barnes was surrounded by well-wishers - so appreciative of his central role in one of Australian rugby's most important recent Test triumphs.
In between, Barnes was involved in several white-knuckle taxi rides, had a ''quick kip'' on the Sydney-Melbourne flight, weaved his way between several trams on Collins Street to get to the team meeting on time, booted through 17 points, set up the best try in the Test, started hobbling ''like a bullrider'' when his leg cramped up, missed a shot that could have lost the Wallabies the game, was announced the man of the match, and then witnessed from the sideline his replacement Mike Harris finish this most exceptional of days off by kicking the winning penalty. No one, not even master Hollywood scriptwriter William Goldman, could have conjured this.
And even yesterday Barnes was still trying to come to terms with his Academy Award performance for a leading role in the best rugby tear-jerker seen in years.
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Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/oh-baby-wallabies-barnes-will-long-remember-june-16-20120617-20i4x.html#ixzz1y9Z0aUEQ
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Rob Horne of the Wallabies is tackled during the International Test Match between the Australian Wallabies and Wales at Etihad Stadium on June 16, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia.
( June 15, 2012 - Source: Scott Barbour/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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