Barnes ready to shoulder the load

Barnes ready to shoulder the load

Greg Growden Chief rugby correspondent | September 8, 2008


WALLABIES centre Berrick Barnes believes he has a strong chance of regaining his midfield spot for the Tri Nations decider against the All Blacks in Brisbane on Saturday night. But he first has to convince Wallabies coach Robbie Deans he is 100 per cent physically and mentally ready for Australia's biggest Test of the season.

Barnes was an early departure from the South African tour after he damaged his shoulder in the opening quarter of the Durban Test triumph last month. One of the Wallabies' most consistent performers returned to Brisbane for treatment before the Johannesburg debacle, and was originally not considered any chance of playing again during the Tri Nations.

However, when the Wallabies assembled in Brisbane last night, Barnes told team officials and teammates that he believed he would be available for selection this weekend.

Barnes may be one of the smaller Wallabies, but he is definitely among the most courageous, often playing in enormous pain.

The return of Barnes would ease Deans's selection concerns, as he would immediately slot the Reds utility into the No.12 position at the expense of Timana Tahu. However, Deans said last night he had still to be convinced Barnes was ready for a recall.

"Regardless of what the medical staff says, if Berrick doesn't come to us with 100 per cent confidence, belief and enthusiasm, we won't consider him, because this Test is not the occasion that you want to be going into being less than that," Deans said. "It's no good for him or us if he plays when he's not 100 per cent."

Barnes hasn't much time either, as the Test team will be announced tomorrow.
If Barnes is unavailable, skipper Stirling Mortlock is expected to move in one spot to inside-centre, with Ryan Cross taking over at No.13.

Other anticipated changes from the team which suffered Australia's largest Test loss is Stephen Moore taking over from Tatafu Polota-Nau as the starting hooker, George Smith replacing Phil Waugh at openside breakaway, while Nathan Sharpe is expected to regain his second-row spot at the expense of Hugh McMeniman. Al Baxter is in line to be the tighthead prop, with Matt Dunning set to return to the reserves' bench.

Deans said that while the Johannesburg thrashing still lingered, he did not believe there would be a hangover. Instead he argued the week off would have revitalised the Wallabies.

"It was good to have this time off to recover physically from the South African Tests, and also the travel," Deans said. "It was also good mentally, because there are some realities around which have to be met, and catered for. So we're not ignoring the last experience [in Johannesburg], because it was a reality, but it's also given us an insight into what is required in going ahead for a one-off encounter, and a one-off opportunity.

"Both sides have everything to play for, and to some extent, what's been before won't be relevant, but it is relevant in terms of where we need to get to."

When asked if he was concerned with his team's mental state, Deans said: "The intent of our preparation this week is to get us into our perfect state to play well on the weekend. That will be the sole focus of anything we do physically and mentally. If we're successful in that, then the only thing that will matter will be on the day."

The Wallabies coach laughed off suggestions in the South African and New Zealand media that the Wallabies deliberately played dead in Johannesburg. "No player chooses to put themselves through that experience."



http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...725854183.html