Backs to the wall as Barnes, Tahu fly home

[travelling_gerry]

Backs to the wall as Barnes, Tahu fly home

Greg Growden in Padova Chief Rugby Correspondent | November 10, 2008


THE Wallabies' end-of-season tour is over for Berrick Barnes and Timana Tahu after they suffered serious injuries during the victory over Italy.

While Barnes has injured his knee and will need an MRI scan when the team arrives in London, Tahu suffered another hamstring strain on Saturday that led to him hobbling off the field in the final quarter of the Test.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans admitted Barnes's injury, which forced him off the field after just 12 minutes, was "significant'', while the early assessment of Tahu's injury "wasn't good''.

Management has decided that the pair will return to Australia but has not decided when. The loss of Barnes and Tahu reduces the number of backs from which the Wallabies will be able to choose for the next month, when they will play Tests against England, France and Wales, before the tour ends with a match against the Barbarians at Wembley.

Nonetheless, Deans said replacements from Australia were unlikely to be called, with back-up coming from within the touring squad.

That would mean Quade Cooper moving up the pecking order to be Matt Giteau's five-eighth understudy. The loss of Barnes and Tahu would also force the Wallabies to stick with the centre combination of Stirling Mortlock and Ryan Cross for the remaining Tests.

"Injuries are part of the game, but now we have some guys lining up and showing that they are prepared to back themselves at this level,'' Deans said. "The youngsters have got a lot to learn yet. But Quade did have a great moment today.''

By playing prop Sekope Kepu, fullback James O'Connor and Cooper off the bench on Saturday, the Wallabies also ensured the talented trio would not be lured away to New Zealand, who had shown an interest in all three players.

O'Connor qualified, through his parents and grandparents, to play for both New Zealand and South Africa, while Kepu and Cooper also have strong links across the Tasman.

Yet having now played a Test for Australia, they are tied to the Wallabies.
Cooper admitted the All Blacks had been chasing him but insisted: "My heart is in Australia. I'm happy to stay here, and play for the Reds and the Wallabies.''


http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...165386976.html

[oxleymoron]

There is a god!

[Swee_82]

Bugger about Barnes... so long Tim Tam!

[jargan83]

looks like this packet of Tim Tams does run out
Posted via Mobile Device

[mudskipper]

Petty about Barnes his having a tough run...

[GIGS20]

I'm really disappointed to hear about Barnes. IMHO the best backline I've seen this year was Gits, Barnes, Mortlock, but I haven't seen too much of Gits, Barnes Cross.

Timtam is a blessing in disguise (the disguise is he'll get fit again sometime in the future)

[JediKnight]

That's really bad news for Barnes but better to get fixed up now before the Super14 season (he is signing for the , isn't he?!).

As for Tahu, that really is a blessing in disguise. Another overpaid ex-mungo thinking they can waltz over to rugby for a decent pay cheque. Whilst I am sure he's a committed professional, he's just another overblown example of the lack of player development by the NSW union.

[Swee_82]

As for Tahu, that really is a blessing in disguise. Another overpaid ex-mungo thinking they can waltz over to rugby for a decent pay cheque. Whilst I am sure he's a committed professional, he's just another overblown example of the lack of player development by the NSW union.

I can never shake the feeling that these mungos get picked solely to justify all the who-ha over their 'defection' in the first place.

Apart from having a Rugby background from Waverly anyway, Crossy probably did himself a big favour coming over here, getting away from all the bulldust spouted in Sydney and got on with EARNING himself a Wallaby cap the old fashioned way, and doing justice to it when he did get the call.