THE Wallabies were savouring their brutal 18-11 win over the Barbarians at Wembley Stadium yesterday, Melbourne time, but for the Waratahs the match was a disaster — they may have lost props Matt Dunning and Sekope Kepu for next year's Super 14 campaign.

After both front-rowers slipped when the soft surface gave way during a second-half scrum, Dunning had to be carried off on a stretcher with a snapped Achilles tendon, while Kepu tore a pectoral muscle.

Both are long-term injuries, and could result in both being sidelined for all of the Super 14 season.

The sight of the pair leaving the field would have sent Waratahs officials into despair, because they have already lost forwards Rocky Elsom, David Lyons, Al Kanaar and Dan Vickerman for 2009, while Wycliff Palu's future is uncertain after he went home last week for a shoulder operation.

Adding to the sour taste from this match was that, unlike traditional Barbarians matches, which revolve around bonhomie and carefree football, this was a mean and nasty affair with wrestling and big hits.

The teams traded blows during the first half after Wallabies five-eighth Quade Cooper put his elbow into the face of Barbarians half-back Fourie du Preez during a tackle. This prompted the Barbarians' Italian prop, Federico Pucciariello, to try to put the young pivot through one of the sideline advertising hoardings.

Elsewhere, other players fought, with the Wallabies clearly determined to show they were not intimidated by World XV-quality opposition.

There were good aspects to this game, however, and the players were right in saying the crowd got its money's worth.

And, besides the victory, the Wallabies had reason to be pleased that so many youngsters excelled.

But, was it really worth adding another four days to a long tour for this gruelling match? The Waratahs would be among those who would say … certainly not!