Drew Mitchell made a strong return from injury to press his claims for a start in the Rugby World Cup as the Australian Barbarians eased past Canada 38-14 on Friday night.

The winger was one of five Wallabies on the comeback trail at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast, playing just his third game following a sickening ankle injury sustained in April that threatened his World Cup hopes.

His first two outings were for Sydney club side Randwick.

After admitting to bouts of pre-game nerves, the powerful NSW Waratah showed plenty of calm and - more importantly - plenty of pace as he scored two tries and made several incisive busts for a Barbarians outfit boasting 194 Test caps.

Mitchell was unlucky not to have two more, twice powering his way over the line through heavy traffic but unable to get the ball down.

Berrick Barnes (concussion), Rob Horne (elbow), James Slipper (ankle) and Tatafu Polota-Nau (knee) all played after missing substantial amounts of football through injury.

Barnes, who also made his way back through club rugby, showed encouraging confidence after resting towards the end of the Super Rugby season following a series of head knocks.

The Waratahs fly-half scored a try, kicked four goals and organised the side well.

He even got into a scrap with Canadian forward Jebb Sinclair, landing two punches on his chin after the Canadian lashed out at him.

Slipper and Polota-Nau - who had a strong game at hooker - also got through 69 minutes of rugby unscathed.

Nathan Sharpe led the Barbarians after being controversially omitted from Australia's side to contest the Tri-Nations final against New Zealand on Saturday night and was workmanlike in his 60 minutes on field.

Melbourne Rebels scrum half Nick Phipps also played for 60 minutes in the place of the injured Matt Giteau - the man he also replaced in the World Cup squad.

Queensland centre Ben Tapuai - not named in the Australian 30-man squad - had an impressive game, having a key hand in the first three Barbarians tries and scoring one of his own at the death.

It was a scrappy game and there were plenty of errors and defensive lapses from both teams.

Canada arrived after impressive wins against World Cup regulars USA in Toronto and Colorado and were tenacious against the Barbarians side.

Mitchell said he was still some way off his best but was pleased with the hitout.

"It was good to get through it," he said.

"The ankle has come through pretty well ... (my pace) was sort of up there.

"I wouldn't say I'm right at my peak in terms of top end speed but I don't expect it to be just yet either.

"It's getting closer each time I get out there."

Barbarians coach and ARU high performance manager David Nucifora said the injured players had acquitted themselves well.

"Rob Horne will be the 22nd player tomorrow, he'll be on the bench for the Test match (against New Zealand),'' he said.

"He'll really add some value.

"I thought that Tatafu and James Slipper, who have had long breaks like Drew, they did very well.

"It was quite energy sapping out there for the frontrowers ... both those boys got through 65 minutes of football."

Horne played only the first half, rested when Australia coach Robbie Deans finalised his squad.

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