THE New Orleans hoodoo has been broken with the Queensland Outback Barbarians comprehensively defeating the Louisiana side 33-0.
The Outback boys playing in blue and red came primed for a win motivated by the knowledge that New Orleans is the only team to have ever beaten the Outback Barbarians twice.
Played in very wet and monsoon like conditions, the tourists jumped to an early lead after two phases when the ball was pilfered by flanker Sam Schmidt. The ball was shifted quickly to the right across to flying winger Dudley Miles, who put on some fancy footwork to score in the corner. Fullback David West added extras for a 7-0 scoreline.
However, any suggestion that the tourists were going to have the run of the park was short lived with the home side muscling up, particularly in the forwards. With the next 10 minutes dominated by forward play, possession changed hands a number of times suggesting the game could go either way.
The Outback Barbarians superior on field skills ultimately meant the tourists had the better of it. After six well executed phases second rower Jai Blakey went over in the corner to make it 12-0.
Again New Orleans used its big forwards to halt the tourists progress and set its backline. That was until No.10 Andrew Kennedy stepped and dummied, creating a gaping hole which he slipped through to score beside the posts.
After another 10 minutes of tough play the Outback Barabarians forwards again took control of the ruck.
The ball was popped to a flying Adam Conway who used his speed to skirt the defense and scored in the corner. With David West’s sideline conversion successful, the tourists went into the break 26-0.
New Orleans came out fired up after the break, showing a lot more determination and aggression. However, the tourists’ front on and scrambling defense was up to the task repeatedly denying the home side any opportunity.
It was from a line out and big drive forward by the Outback Barbarians forwards that enabled hooker Tom Hewitt crashed over and deliver the ultimate 33-0 scoreline.
The remainder of the match proved a no holds barred contest with the New Orleans team unsuccessfully attacking the line on numerous occasions.
In the end the Outback Barbarians were convincing winners with none better than man of the match Dudley Miles on the wing. Other big efforts were put in by outside centre Colby Mason, Damon Hesp, Andrew Kennedy, Sam Fairweather, Adam Conway, Cameron Knights and Sam Schmidt.
The Outback Barbarians line up for game four of the 2018 US tour against the Tallahassee Conquistadors in Florida on May 31.
- Outback Barbarians 33 (Dudley Miles, Adam Conway, Jai Blakey, Andrew Kennedy and Tom Hewitt tries, David West 4 conversions) d New Orleans 0.