Whites On Top In Warm-Up Match.

Reggie Corrigan’s Whites selection proved the better combination in the pre-South Africa tour game played at Lansdowne Road, winning 29-19 in what was a competitive encounter evidenced by the fact that two players, David Wallace (Blues) and Victor Costello (Whites) were both yellow-carded by referee Alain Rolland.

The only down side to the game was the injury sustained by David Pusey in the course of scoring a try that left the Munsterman with what looked like a serious shoulder or rib injury. Two other players, Corrigan and Peter Stringer also retired injured but coach Eddie O’Sullivan is hopeful that both will be avalailable for the trip to South Africa.

The Whites, with tries from Anthony Horgan, Pusey, Aiden McCullen, Shane Stewart and the outstanding Paul O’Connell, were good value for their victory against a Blues side whose tries came from Matt Mostyn, Simon Easterby and David Wallace.

Paddy Wallace and Ronan O’Gara kicked two conversions apiece.

Blues:
G. Dempsey; B. Burke, J. Kelly, K. Maggs, T.
Howe, R. O’Gara, P. Stringer; M. Horan, F. Sheahan, J. Hayes; D. Browne, L. Cullen; S. Easterby, D. Wallace, A. Foley capt
Replacements: B. Jackman, R. McCormack, T. Hogan, N.
McMillan, K. Campbell, D. Yapp, M. Mostyn

Whites: B Cunningham; S. Payne, G. Duffy, M. Mullins, A.
Horgan; P. Wallace, G. Easterby; R. Corrigan capt, S.
Byrne, S. Best; G. Longwell, P. O’Connell; R. Wilson, A. Quinlan, V. Costelloe
Replacments: P. Shields, E. Byrne, D. Pusey, N. Best, B. O’Meara, T Robinson, M. McPhail.

Referee – Alain Rolland.