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Genuine concern for Berrick Barnes’ rugby future after another head injury in the Wallabies’ record 60-11 romp over the Barbarians at Twickenham overnight.
The 25-year-old has suffered multiple footballer’s migraine injuries during the year, but was ruled fit enough for the Rugby World Cup, which he survived.
Last night, he leapt high to take a centre-field kick, to crash down on the back of his head. He remained motionless for a couple of moments, and eventually left the field.
Concern too for captain David Pocock, who reinjured his knee that forced him to miss two RWC games, including the shock loss to Ireland.
He too eventually left the field after 55 minutes, but by then the Wallabies had started to carve up the Baa-Baas defence.
It’s questionable both will be fit enough for the big clash with Wales at Millennium Stadium, next Saturday night.
They were the downsides, but there were so many good flash points, with new fly-half James O’Connor, winger Digby Ioane, and full-back Adam Ashley-Cooper turning in blinders with world class performances.
All three thoroughly deserved the man-of-the-match award, but it went to Ashley-Cooper.
Having bombed four ‘certain’ first half tries with inexcusable and blatant forward passes to lead 18-6 at the break, the men-in-gold clicked from the 51st to 75th minute by scoring six tries through brilliant support play.
* The 51st – James Horwill’s bustling try off a half-break from Stephen Moore, both with their first touch of the ball off the bench.
* The 54th – Rob Horne crossed after a dreadful lineout feed from Moore, picked up by Baa-Baa fly-half Danny Cipriani who threw a perfect pass to Horne to intercept and canter in.
* The 60th – Horwill’s second try, finishing off a well-timed pass from replacement half-back Nick Phipps.
* The 64th – Lachie Turner’s second after a long bust by Ashley-Cooper on halfway.
* The 69th – Digby Ioane’s second, breaking through five defenders through sheer leg drive.
* And the 75th – Radike Samo’s try off the bench, scooping the ball one-handed from the back of a ruck to crash over from 10m out.
Great rugby, and some poor defence, but a spectacle nonetheless for the 51,212 crowd at the home of rugby.
But they had to wait until overtime for the only Baa-Baa try, superbly scored by Great Britain’s rugby league full-back Sam Tomkins playing his first game of rugby, on his first visit to Twickenham, and his first appearance on the wing.
What a debut. He played the entire 80 minutes, and was always keen to be involved. Tomkins has a definite place in rugby if he ever decides to switch.
But anyone who thought pre-match this was going to be a social encounter didn’t have to wait long to see it was on from the kick-off, with plenty of niggle, and three yellow cards:
Ashley-Cooper for a deliberate knock-on,Scott Higginbotham for a deliberate late tackle, and Barbarian Salvatore Perugia for a professional foul.
This game was refereed in the right spirit by Frenchman Romain Poite, especially with advantage. His was a top performance as was the Wallabies once they were patient instead of butchering those four first half tries.
Bombing five-pointers will be fatal against the Welshmen.