World champions Australia ended their disappointing European tour in winning fashion at the Millennium Stadium last night after finishing on top in a 12-try spectacular.

Despite fielding a largely second-string team, Wallabies coach Eddie Jones witnessed some scintillating rugby as his side fought back magnificently from an early 14-point deficit.

Wing Scott Staniforth led the way with a hat-trick of touchdowns, while tries from Chris Latham, Elton Flatley, Toutai Kefu and Ben Tune followed.

Flatley also kicked five conversions before going off at half-time, but a Barbarian's outfit containing 14 internationals played their part to enthral a Cardiff crowd of around 40,000.

Not to be outdone by Staniforth, the Baa-Baas' South African wing Breyton Paulse also claimed a treble, and French centre Stephane Glas and Newcastle forward Pat Lam added further touchdowns.

Leeds-bound outhalf Braam van Straaten booted all five conversions, and the closing minutes belonged to the invitation side after they had been heavily out-scored for the game's middle period.

The Barbarians also had the satisfaction of scoring the game's outstanding try, a brilliant, 30th-minute effort from 70 metres out.

It was started by Welsh prop Darren Morris's audacious chip and chase which lock Mark Andrews took on at pace, and then it was time for the speed merchants to take over.

Stefan Terblanche carried possession into Australia's 22, and after the magnificent French flanker Olivier Magne acted as the final link, Paulse finished off the job.

That try put the Barbarians back in front at 21-14, yet the Wallabies then conjured up three tries during a devastating six-minute spell before the break, two from Staniforth and one by centre Kefu, normally Australia's Test number eight.