SINCE Steve Hansen has taken over as Wales rugby coach the emphasis has been on performance, performance, performance.

Most of us sceptical members of the Press, writes Paul Tully, believe the reason for this has been to hide the fact that Wales have been incapable of winning.

But today nobody can accuse Hansen of a smokescreen when he says performance matters, because what the public want more than anything from a game against the Barbarians is running rugby, outrageous dummies, thrilling breaks and tries, tries, tries.

Hansen has promised his side, including former Newport star Alix Popham, will enter into the spirit of the occasion, notwithstanding the need for a win to send the players merrily away on their tour Down Under on Monday.

The tour promises to be a daunting task against what former captain Taine Randell, who leads the Bar-barians tomorrow, says will be the finest All Blacks side ever. Australia will field a more experimental line-up, but the last British Lions can vouch for the fact that the world champions in their own backyard are almost impossible to beat.

And with Wales touring without several first choice players, it is unlikely they will return with a win.

So a fillip today would do Martyn Williams' men a power of good, but it is difficult to imagine them winning.

Not only is the Barbarians side packed with stars with hundreds of caps between them, but they are also chasing a summer Grand Slam after wins over England and Scotland. Hansen described their display at Twickenham as "awesome" and even with 15 changes they won at Murrayfield, so Wales know what to expect.

And Hansen has chosen a bit of an experimental side, a mixture of youth and experience, with a promise to try out a few new moves, so the usual number of Welsh mistakes can be expected.

Of course the game will give several Welsh players the chance to prove themselves ahead of the World Cup.

Leeds' uncapped former Newport No 8 Popham is the latest to be asked to try to fill the massive shoes vacated by Scott Quinnell.

Uncapped Neath prop Adam Jones gets the opportunity to prove a reliable tight-head partner to Iestyn Thomas.

Llanelli's once-capped Vernon Cooper gets another chance to prove his credentials at lock while club-mate Garan Evans is given a chance at full back after last playing for Wales several years ago.

And then there is Iestyn Harris, now termed a utility back by Hansen and given another outing in the centre role.

And of course today's match will mark the 100th and final appearance in a Wales shirt of world record points scorer Neil Jenkins. Whatever you think of his ability as a play-maker, his kicking talents have won many a game for Wales and he is sure of a rousing reception.

Wales chief executive David Moffett said of Jenkins: "He epitomises everything that is good about Welsh rugby. His contribution has been enormous."

Jenkins says he will play his final game, termed the Goodwill Game, as he always does, with a smile on his face.

There is no doubt the Barbarians too will play with smiles on their faces and if they serve up their usual brand of rugby, the Welsh fans will go away with smiles on their faces too. Whether the Welsh team jet off on Monday with similar expressions remains to be seen but even we notorious sceptics sincerely hope that they do.

PICTURE: Former Newport star Alix Popham discussed tactics yesterday with Steve Hansen and team-mates