Return of Barnes a ray of hope for Wallabies
Columnist By David Lord, 24 Sep 2011 David Lord is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- Berrick Barnes, Rugby Union, Rugby World Cup, wallabies
Australia's Berrick Barnes (C) attacks the The United States defense (EPA/KIM LUDBROOK)
Welcome back Berrick Barnes, a sight for sore eyes. The multi-talented Wallaby came off the bench just before half-time last night to ignite the backline and demolish the USA 67-5 in their World Cup clash at Wellington.
But three months ago there was every chance he wouldn’t be fit enough for the RWC, after suffering repeated concussions playing for the Waratahs.
Barnes took six weeks off, before resuming with Sydney University. The rest is history.
Last night, apart from the odd moment of brilliance, it was a laborious Wallaby 22-5 lead at the break, with four tries.
Barnes replaced an injured Kurtley Beale, and seven tries flowed in the second session with much more enterprising rugby – Barnes inspired.
That’s more like it. Even though the USA wasn’t tough opposition they were spirited and made the Wallabies iron out most of the kinks that surfaced in that disgraceful 15-6 loss to Ireland last weekend.
A revamped Wallaby backline is starting to take shape for the expected quarter final clash with the Boks.
Will Genia and Quade Cooper the pivots – Barnes in the centres with last night’s man of the match Adam Ashley Cooper after his hat-trick – Digby Ioane and James O’Connor on the wings, with Beale at full-back.
That’s an exciting lineup, arguably the most destructive in the tournament.
But Berrick Barnes is the story.
He’s not only a proven playmaker and solid defender as the perfect link between Cooper and Ashley-Cooper, but his goal-kicking will be a bonus.
Last night Beale was first-choice goal-kicker and missed with his only attempt.
Cooper kicked just two from five – Barnes four from five, more like the stats that can beat the Springboks with their sharp-shooter Morne Steyn always a danger.
Coach Robbie Deans may well entertain James O’Connor as first choice kicker when he returns from injury, Forget it, Berrick Barnes is the man.
On the debit side, the injury toll rose rapidly last night.
* Pat McCabe dislocated his shoulder, and could be a tournament wipeout.
* So too McCabe’s centre partner Anthony Faingaa, knocked senseless in the last minute of play.
* Injury prone Wycliff Palu, playing his first international since late 2009, left the field with a hamstring twinge.
* And full-back Beale strained his groin.
Genia and Rob Horne were replaced early last night, but only as a precautionary measure. Both were on song, raising the bar for Russia leading into the quarters.
And while the set pieces improved last night, restarts are still a major problem and must be fixed by Boks time, who are masters at it.
Food for thought:
If either McCabe or Faingaa are to head home, call in Phil Waugh to cover for David Pocock whose lower back injury is still causing concern.
Warrior Waugh is very much match fit, he’ll be turning out for Sydney University this afternoon in the Sydney first grade grand final against tearaway minor premiers Eastwood.
It would be a fitting finale if the 31-year-old Waugh could end his stellar career in gold at a World Cup after 79 Test caps, and a record 124 appearances for the NSW Waratahs.
Food for thought alright.
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September 24th 2011 @ 7:17am
Bayxxx said | September 24th 2011 @ 7:17am | Report comment
Worldbeaters now eg? Have to say that a backline of Genia, Cooper,Barnes, Horne with a back 3 of Digby, Beeber and Beale looks the strongest,but with backfoot ball against the yarpies they will struggle…
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September 24th 2011 @ 7:24am
Behind Enemy Lines said | September 24th 2011 @ 7:24am | Report comment
Latest seems to be that Horne has a fractured cheek bone and will not play any further part in the tournament. Got to feel for the guy, that is some very bad luck.
September 24th 2011 @ 11:08am
Aljay said | September 24th 2011 @ 11:08am | Report comment
The guy must be made of glass. Has he ever completed a season of professional rugby without a serious injury?
September 24th 2011 @ 7:26am
the other Steve said | September 24th 2011 @ 7:26am | Report comment
And so the bi-polar media coverage on the Wallabies begins the up-swing, where a win – any win – makes them world-beaters, potentially.
Respectfully, it was USA A (or even possible to call them USA B) that the Wallabies beat up. It was a much a contest as SA v Namibia.
The Age reports that Horne broke his cheekbone, as well.
September 24th 2011 @ 9:21am
Rugby Diehard said | September 24th 2011 @ 9:21am | Report comment
The Other Steve – I would hardly say the article nor even the title “a ray of hope” claims that a win over the US makes the Wallabies world beaters.
September 24th 2011 @ 7:31am
rabbitfan said | September 24th 2011 @ 7:31am | Report comment
Agree with your backline David, Barnes must be in and official goalkicker, the 3 wonder boys are too inconsistent to prevail with in WC year. Id bring Robinson over instead of Waugh.
September 24th 2011 @ 7:35am
ohtani's jacket said | September 24th 2011 @ 7:35am | Report comment
Forget about the backs, it’s the forwards who are continuing to misfire. About the other thing that’s going right for them is the lineout. If they don’t start hitting the breakdown with the same intensity as their last two Tri-Nations games the Wallabies might as well pack their bags and practice being dumbfounded at how it all went wrong.
It was a boring game plan the Wallabies played to last night and they didn’t execute it very well. The US kept making mistakes which allowed the Wallabies to score easily enough, but on form this side is going to get creamed in a quarterfinal or semi.
September 24th 2011 @ 7:38am
the other Steve said | September 24th 2011 @ 7:38am | Report comment
I’m sure they’ll make the quarters, but go no further.
September 24th 2011 @ 7:42am
ohtani's jacket said | September 24th 2011 @ 7:42am | Report comment
They might have one big performance in them, but I can’t see where they’re going to find three from.
September 24th 2011 @ 7:48am
Seiran said | September 24th 2011 @ 7:48am | Report comment
I agree Ohtani. The forwards weren’t getting the upper hand easily against the US. There’s no way they are going handle the Boks with this lack of intensity.
The forwards definately looked beter with Moore up there, and Sharpe IMO played better tonight than Horwill or Vickerman has in this tournament, but, still not good enough to even attempt to roll the Boks.
September 24th 2011 @ 8:03am
warrenexpatinnz said | September 24th 2011 @ 8:03am | Report comment
If we talk about current form yes they will struggle to get past the Boks but the lightning strike is that we have seen the Wallabies do this time and again. The loss in Auckland was bad, yet they win two weeks in a row, with the South African the reason why I believ they can beat the Boks come QF time.
The Wallabies have no fear of the Boks
The Wallabies can turn form around so very quickly against the top sides
The injuries have helped select a team which has a less flashy but more solid feel and I took great heart in watching Sharpe dominant the forward display, as he should against a second tier team but that highlights why he is now a starting player, brains and can do the little things right as expected.
September 24th 2011 @ 8:19am
ohtani's jacket said | September 24th 2011 @ 8:19am | Report comment
All Sharpe did was call the lineouts to himself.
September 24th 2011 @ 8:14am
The other Steve said | September 24th 2011 @ 8:14am | Report comment
Can’t see the Boks losing the quarter final against the Wallabies because of their forward dominance
September 24th 2011 @ 8:22am
warrenexpatinnz said | September 24th 2011 @ 8:22am | Report comment
I would have agreed with you up until last night the other Steve but just as the Wallabies hit a rough trot the Boks have been falsely encouraged that their play has improved since the TNs.
The Samoans will hurt the Boks, maybe not win but will give them a forward battle that will knock the wind out and tire the old boys legs whereas the Wallabies will canter in against the Russians allowing them to bring in a relatively fresh side with a few tactical changes that the Boks haven’t played against this year. The Wallabies were far from perfect last night and the side was not the helped by injuries and positional changes yet we saw Sharpe, Mitchell and Barnes play well with Sharpes inclusion in the 15 being and added bonus to Horwill having a bash buddy.
Barnes I have already spoken about but in Mitchell we have a very smart winger, made an annoying defensive laspe by not helping on the blindside, his wing and the USA scoring but his strength in the tackle and his finishing ability is there, not yet 100% but another 40-60 minute against Russia will have him peaking nicley.
September 24th 2011 @ 9:24am
Rugby Diehard said | September 24th 2011 @ 9:24am | Report comment
Warren – Yeah, what was Mitchell thinking defending 3 metres behind the try-line on the open side with such a big blind…
September 24th 2011 @ 10:26am
Blinky Bill of Bellingen said | September 24th 2011 @ 10:26am | Report comment
He was thinking ‘Rocky can handle this’.
Otherwise I was seriously impressed with Mitchell’s affort all night. God I loved the way he powered his way through the defence for that try of his. I never thought he was a chance of scoring through that traffic, but there you go.
In Mitchell I think I’m seeing the possibility of a 13 if the 11 & 14 spots are taken by JOC & Diggers.
September 24th 2011 @ 12:52pm
mikeylives said | September 24th 2011 @ 12:52pm | Report comment
I was most impressed by his short bursts of pace in support. Mitchell didn’t score in the first half, but he was there in support for most of them. He definitely has his pace back. Good to see he is getting back to tackle busting form as well.
September 24th 2011 @ 2:43pm
Suzy Poison said | September 24th 2011 @ 2:43pm | Report comment
Firstly I have to say I agree with Lordy, Berrick Barnes will offer the Wallabies a ray of hope. For two reasons, Number one, his goal kicking is the most accurate. Quade missed 3 out of 4 last night and Kurtley is a hopeless kicker. If O’Conner is back as expected, he offers an option. Secondly, Barnes’s defence is great too, and he will need to be on top form ,as by pure fluke, The Boks have Frans Steyn is great form. Fluke, because he wasn’t selected there in the first place. The Bok backline suddendly looks like scoring tries again.
As a Bok fan, I was pretty worried after the Wales game, but have watched as the Boks have slowly got better. It seems there is life in the old dogs yet. I have always felt that this Bok team was a year or two too old for this WC, and that for the Wallabies, it was a year or two too soon.
Recent results, like when the oldest team in the WC, beat the youngest team, the Wallabies, have made me think that it’s perhaps better to have the experience. But time will tell. The Boks have a water-tight defence,all the experience, a great pack, a bench with bite, and the most accurate kicker at the Cup. All in all a recipe for success. Let the games begin.
September 24th 2011 @ 3:39pm
Cliff (Bishkek) said | September 24th 2011 @ 3:39pm | Report comment
Hi OJ
100% 0n the marker. Forwards win Rugby matches – Backs score the points.
The forwards were not impressive last night and against a weaker pack of pigs. Wallaby forwards have lost mongrel and no longer have the idea of firing game in and game out. Elsom continues to go missing when the going gets tough – “Ireland”. Vikerman went missing “Ireland” – do not understand that one as he never used to go missing.
The above want Waugh – no way – “the facial expression – was that me Ref” – too many penalties
Giteau – need to be joking – creates division in the team – and he is no longer any good – keep him away.
We have the backline – and need Robinson – someone said the Samoa game – yes he was not good – but there were 15 players who were useless. Like to see how some of his critics would go in a Wallaby Jumper first up??
Palu – typical injury – played well but he goes missing also when the oging getss tough – Mummy has to push him
Horne – had a good game but injuries??? He is glass
I would still have Vikerman rather than Sharpe – Sharpe is soft
So my Saturday whinge afer a few beers
Cheers
September 24th 2011 @ 7:21pm
nige imrie said | September 24th 2011 @ 7:21pm | Report comment
They all go missing when the game gets tough, we don’t have a hard enough pack to win RWC!!!!!!
September 25th 2011 @ 1:55am
Johnno said | September 25th 2011 @ 1:55am | Report comment
Sahrpe is soft vICKERMAN MIGHT BE A BIT sloe but he is as hard and as mentally strong as any forwad in the game, and an intelligent man to, a match or 2 ago the ref said pull you head in aren’t you a lawyer or a doctor, Vickerman has ot be in the starting team he makes big difference in the rucks and mauls. And in the scrums and his experience, and he is or was he used ot be awesome in the lineout. Vickerman has added sme much needed starch and muscle to the pack he did not play that bad vs irleand. And besides we have no one else , simians looks lost or simply not good enough at this level, sharpe is soft and only useful at linnets and kick off time.
September 25th 2011 @ 11:15am
peterlala said | September 25th 2011 @ 11:15am | Report comment
Hasn’t the great Vickerman been playing for Oxford. Or Cambridge. If so, it’s not quite the same. Whether that means anything…who knows?
True about Horne. But so cruel.
Giteau bad? Is Mortlock bad, too?. He would unsettle any opponent, long before match day. Completely out of the picture.
I’m not saying Mortlock is the greatest centre in the world. But every centre in the world respects him…for good reason. So who cares what I say?
September 25th 2011 @ 11:05am
peterlala said | September 25th 2011 @ 11:05am | Report comment
The forwards. Sometimes good, surprisingly. Usually a liability. Particularly without the great David Po—-.
September 24th 2011 @ 7:43am
Chris said | September 24th 2011 @ 7:43am | Report comment
Despite the scoreline, it was a rather unimpressive display from the Wallabies. Several tries were long range efforts (taking advantage of US mistakes), rather than coming from sustained efforts.
Barnes has to be in the run on side based on that display. But I’m worried about the forwards – there still isn’t much up front at all.
September 24th 2011 @ 7:44am
Seiran said | September 24th 2011 @ 7:44am | Report comment
After all these injuries, for the next test against Russia I would use Barnes as fly-half, Matt (all is forgiven) Giteau and ACC in the centres with JOC and Beale on the wings and Quade Cooper as full back. I would actually prefer to have Ioane as inside centre but with his injury, Giteau would be my next pick over Tapuai
I think this could be a really strong team, with Barnes setting the pace, and playing with a level head to guide the team forward, and Quade stepping into first or second receiver now and gain to add some razzle dazzle.
Quade plays at full back most of the time anyway so IMO he should just stay there and then come forward when required to add some added impact when required.
September 24th 2011 @ 10:23am
greg said | September 24th 2011 @ 10:23am | Report comment
boat has left, its way to close to crunch time to be sticking cooper at full back and barnes at 10. Barnes at 12 would be ok but full back and 10 are important positions and its to late in my opinion
September 24th 2011 @ 7:53am
warrenexpatinnz said | September 24th 2011 @ 7:53am | Report comment
Agree David that Barnes is a shining light, funny thing is if it wasn’t Barnes it would be Giteau.
Now before I get burned at the stake the reason behind a return for Giteau to replace one of the injured trio is because of the need to have a calming influence that gives Genia an option prior to passing. Barnes showed tactical nous, besides the charge down and failed chip of course.
Is Giteau as effective as Barnes? not really sure but the QF onwards is about defence and, defence and that is one thing Giteau has always had in spades which is courage and strength in defence. Yes his play making days have been better but as you see in Morne Steyn a solid play maker is better than a cat on a hot tin roof.
September 24th 2011 @ 8:08am
Seiran said | September 24th 2011 @ 8:08am | Report comment
I don’t think Horne and Faingaa will be replaced in the squad, so that leaves McCabes spot, if his shoulder needs surgery.
Faingaa should be ok by the QF, although I still question his effectiveness in the team as he seems to disapear a lot in the tests, and Horne I expect will also be available by the QF depending on how bad the cheek bone injury is. A broken cheek bone can mend in two weeks if only minor.
McCabe too, might take to the mend dependent and the severity of the dislocation. He could be back in time for the Semi’s???
September 24th 2011 @ 8:14am
warrenexpatinnz said | September 24th 2011 @ 8:14am | Report comment
I wonder though Seiran if these injuries give Deans an oppurtunity to bring someone in now that he may realize fits the tournament style as well as who can correct an area within the team that seems stagnant.
A bolter for me is Cameron Shephard, straight running big bloke with off load ability and a really good boot.
Now I have no idea of his fitness or where he is presently but I don’t think Deans will be comfortable bringing AF in after the head knock into a Semi as he will have to stand down for a min of two weeks?, if we get that far, nor McCabe who although is a solid player still hasn’t learnt to improve his going into contact style whereas players like Shep, Giteau, even Tuapui (Spell?) have better contact ability.
September 24th 2011 @ 8:20am
Seiran said | September 24th 2011 @ 8:20am | Report comment
I think it will only be a one match lay off for AF, dependent on the severity of the concusion.
I agree that there are some other players who could be brought across. Matt (all is forgiven) Giteau would be good for inside centre as would be Tapuai.
I’ve mentioned above my ideas on a revamped backline in view of the injuries.
September 24th 2011 @ 8:28am
warrenexpatinnz said | September 24th 2011 @ 8:28am | Report comment
My only change to your backline setup Seiran would be having Mitchell starting rather than JOC.
Maybe JOC showed us against Italy what he can do with some tired players in front of him with his footwork better than anyone that is currently playing, with exception to Nonu as his change of speed and angle being so deceptive he makes a gap with a player covering him. Larkham with 15 kilos extra.
September 24th 2011 @ 8:11am
Vented Relief said | September 24th 2011 @ 8:11am | Report comment
If McCabe goes home then you would suggest that a ‘like for like’ replacement would be nick cummins….. they are like twins (apart from the hair).
September 24th 2011 @ 8:12am
Vented Relief said | September 24th 2011 @ 8:12am | Report comment
By the way, whats going on with cameron shepherd? Is he healthy and match fit?
September 24th 2011 @ 8:35am
warrenexpatinnz said | September 24th 2011 @ 8:35am | Report comment
Same VR, perhaps one of those guys with all the skill but not enough application but his style is so “Joe Roff” it would add some much needed bite. Cummins is a good player but one dimensional when compared to JOC and Mitchell.