Shepherd gets a look-in

[zimeric]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html

Shepherd emerges from shadows

By Wayne Smith and Bret Harris
August 21, 2007 A GROIN injury to back-up five-eighth Berrick Barnes has opened the door just a fraction to an 11th hour World Cup call-up for the forgotten man of Australian rugby, Western Force fullback Cameron Shepherd.

Australia coach John Connolly said he would be surprised if Barnes did not make the trip on Thursday to the Wallabies' pre-World Cup training camp in Portugal, but conceded the young Reds five-eighth was struggling with the groin strain he sustained during the Ballymore Tornadoes' 26-20 victory over the Sydney Fleet on Sunday.

"He's a concern, Berrick," said Connolly. "We'll have to monitor his progress very closely and we'll make a decision on his shadow replacement over the next 24 hours. We'll be looking at the eight No.10s in the Australian Rugby Championships, but we're not looking for a tourist. We're looking for someone who, if the need arose, could step in and do the job."

That would seem to indicate the selectors will not just confine their discussion to specialist five-eighths, and nor should they.

Even fully fit, Barnes runs the very real prospect of being the first Australian player since Richard Tombs in 1991 to go to a World Cup but not play in a game.

Although selected as an understudy to Steve Larkham, Barnes might well rank no higher than fourth-choice five-eighth for the Wallabies with Matt Giteau and Julian Huxley both more likely to be assigned the role in the event of injury to Australia's 101-Test playmaker.

If Huxley, who has reverted to back-up fullback now that Chris Latham has recovered from a knee reconstruction to reclaim the 15 jersey, was required at five-eighth, the Wallabies' most pressing need would be for a player who can cover for Latham.

Enter, or rather re-enter Shepherd. Until he damaged his posterior cruciate ligament in his knee in the Force's match against the Brumbies on April 20, Shepherd was not only the leading pointscorer in the Super 14, but leading contender to play fullback for Australia in the absence of Latham.

But after he was injured, and then re-injured when he returned perhaps prematurely for Australia A, Huxley suddenly was presented with his long overdue chance. He made the most of it, playing every Test this winter save for the Tri-Nations decider against the All Blacks which he missed because of a corked leg.

"Shepherd's definitely a possibility," Connolly said.

[zimeric]

IMHO he is by far the next best Fullback after Latham.
I really think its a mistake leaving him out of the squad....

[JediKnight]

let's hope that Shep is on that plane, one way or another (for the benefit of Australian rugby)

[Jehna]

Mmm i don't know if he will be. I hope Knuckles didn't watch his last ARC game. I still think he's a long way from recovery. He looked slow and his aim was def off on the weekend and whilst I can accept a one off clearly, i don't think he's been back on his game yet. I'd be worried he's go over and do some permanent damage..

Having said that i agree....he's a wonderful fullback and I'd love to see him in the team. My only concern is that I'm not so sure its smart to rely on Huxley as a back up fly half...i guess i'd be putting gits in first, and have maybe staniforth in as inside centre? Not sure there's much of a need for a back up full back to be honest..

[slomo]

huxley was always a line call in my mind, he made the team due to sheps injury, and ther is no way connolly could take a chance on both latham and shep coming back from injury. possible bad news for barnes but great for shep if he does make it he certainly deserves it for his form in the S14 last season.

[Goldmember]

Nothing better than being definately and possibly selected.

[hopep]

I'd prefer him to be a possible definite than a definite possible.

[jargan83]

Mmm i don't know if he will be. I hope Knuckles didn't watch his last ARC game. I still think he's a long way from recovery. He looked slow and his aim was def off on the weekend and whilst I can accept a one off clearly, i don't think he's been back on his game yet. I'd be worried he's go over and do some permanent damage..

thats kinda true. did he play alot of rugby between injuring his knee against the brumbies and the start of the ARC (although his other knee was already hurt and they were nursing him though the rest of the super 14 seaon werent they)

he was the form full-back/outside back (although he was on the wing, he's a better full back then drem mitchell) before he injured his knee against the brumbies and its nice to see he's being considered

[Burgs]

Think he only played a single Norths match and then one or two Australia A matches from memory Jargan, may be wrong there though.

[JediKnight]

There is also another Super 14 in the RWC squad......Drew Mitchell!!!

[jargan83]

nah your right burgs, but not alot of rugby, although chris lathem hasnt played alot since he came back either has he??

[Skiza]

GGGGGOOOOOO Shepherd...you can do it!!

[Shaun]

Sheps deserves it.

[Jess]

I still think Sheps earnt his world cup spot with such a superb super 14 season and the most wonderful attitude.

I don't think it's fair he's being treated as a 'well if we've got no one better due to injury we might as well bring him along'.

He should have been there in the first place!

[The Lone Hydrangea]

Your on the money Jess.