New dad Barnes caps memorable 24 hours
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Wallabies five-eighth Berrick Barnes had three unforgettable reasons to raise a glass after his team’s Test victory over Wales in Melbourne.
Barnes can toast the birth of his first child – a son, Archie – a man-of-the-match performance and a 25-23 series-clinching win against the Six Nations champions.
The 25-year-old almost missed the Etihad Stadium game when he rushed home to Sydney late on Friday to be with his wife Bec as she gave birth.
He arrived back in Melbourne at 6.30pm, just before kick-off.
The new dad set up with Wallabies’ only try of the match, just before halftime when made a break and he threw a superb dummy before off-loading to his centre Rob Horne.
He also added 17 points through five penalties from six attempts and a conversion before being replaced by match-winner Mike Harris with seven minutes remaining.
It could have all ended differently but for Harris’ successful penalty strike after the fulltime siren.
Just before leaving the field Barnes had the chance to put his side back in front but missed a relatively easy penalty kick.
It was his first miss of the night as he finished with a personal haul of 17 points – five penalties and one conversion.
Barnes said the baby arrived almost six weeks early but his wife and son were healthy.
“He’s breathing on his own now and feeding,” Barnes said.
“It’s exciting and I’m very proud.
“I love playing for my country, it’s a great honour but it’s something that doesn’t happen very often in your life.
“It’s something I’ll remember.”
Australian coach Robbie Deans said he would have given Barnes every chance to play.
“In my rugby (played) in the country you could walk in five minutes before,” he said.
“It was always going to be Berrick’s call.”
© AAP 2013
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June 17th 2012 @ 12:27pm
Glenn Condell said | June 17th 2012 @ 12:27pm | Report comment
I have been critical of him but hats off, he was a clear MOM last night. He would have been on some sort of high after the birth of his boy, and to come out and play such a controlled hand will have given him some satisfaction after a tough year. When everyone’s fit he will have a battle but he offers a point of difference with his traditional virtues. He just has to keep the kicking on a leash and keep being judicious with when to run. His break and pass for the try were lovely.
Across the two tests it’s our halves plus the Pocock factor that have proved the difference, though Phillips was much better last night.
Great games though, the teams pretty evenly matched. Midfield defence from both sides has been first class, though the Welsh will be a bit disappointed with the handling and passing in the midfield at times, Beck and Priestland the main offenders. What good wingers they have – ours have their moments but your heart jumps into your gob every time they are obliged to handle the ball.
Good to see the North-South gap shrink across the board inside of a week. Ireland were even unluckier and I think if was a red or green supporter I’d be somewhere between puzzled and peeved at some of the reffing in the last quarter of those games. To see a Black pack driven back on home turf was a stunner but the Irish didn’t get the benefit that should have accrued from it.
Both teams were a marginal decision away from history and I feel for the poor buggers. Happy with the Wallaby win though, well deserved against the best team in Europe. Next weekend will be interesting – history suggests the series winners will power to wins on the back of the disappointment and fatigue of their opponents. However a surprise or two would not surprise.