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Injured Wallabies lynchpin Berrick Barnes’ desperation to play in a rare decider has him pushing recovery limits for a surprise return against the All Blacks.
Barnes has been deemed by Wallabies management as “unlikely” for the winner-takes-all Tri-Nations clash at Suncorp Stadium on September 13.
But the canny inside centre today reported encouraging signs in his shoulder rehabilitation, which will buoy coach Robbie Deans after he was sorely missed in the the 53-8 drubbing by South Africa on the weekend.
Barnes has been undergoing intense physiotherapy on his AC joint since injuring it in Durban on August 23 to speed up his return on what was listed as a three to four week recovery period.
The almost irreplaceable 22-year-old is optimistic that if he can train solidly with the Wallabies at Ballymore on Monday he’ll be right to play defending champions New Zealand.
“I’m doing all the physio at the moment and things are looking okay,” Barnes told AAP. “We’ll make a decision on Sunday or Monday.
“I wouldn’t be any more than (50-50), I’m just hopeful.
“If I’m right, I’m right. But I don’t want to be a dead wood out there, especially in the last 20 minutes.”
Barnes has shown his importance to the Wallabies, as much for his ultra-reliable low defence and backline organisation as his undoubted nous as a second ball-player beside Matt Giteau.
Wallabies centre great Tim Horan believed the Queenslander’s return, replacing the out-of-sorts Timana Tahu, was crucial to Australia’s hopes of winning their first Tri-Nations title since 2001.
“It’s an important part of it and would be a major factor to the confidence of the team,” said the 80-Test Horan. “I think the stability right across the team itself is affected in not having Berrick there.”
Lock Dan Vickerman is the other key man missed following the 27-15 victory over the Springboks in Durban but the lineout ace is given next to no chance of playing.
While Deans is sweating on Barnes’ fitness to solve the horrible midfield defensive problems in the Johannesburg rout, Barnes is equally keen to play.
The former fringe Brisbane Bronco and current Queensland Red hasn’t tasted senior finals football, save for the Wallabies World Cup quarter-final loss to England in Marseille last year.
“I don’t think I’ve played in a game that’s this important,” he said.
“I don’t get the chance to play in big games, my last grand final was Kingaroy under-12s.
“In terms of importance, this game is pretty big. It’s exciting to have this opportunity.”
Both Barnes and Horan defended league convert Tahu after he was guilty of two costly missed tackles against the Boks and poor defensive reads which led to big overlaps out wide.
“It was a tough day at the office for him but I also had that against the All Blacks (in Auckland),” Barnes said.
“He has phenomenal skills and we’ll see how good he is when he gets some front-foot ball.”
Horan felt the former NSW Origin and Kangaroos winger wasn’t suited to inside centre.
“Timana is probably more of a No.13-winger and I even thought that before he started playing there but it was nowhere near his fault,” he said. “He came in once or twice and they scored a couple of tries but there were plenty of others as well.
“I hope they don’t make him the (scapegoat).
“He’s definitely got the skills and he’ll be there for a while yet too.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.