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The Waratahs Berrick Barnes kicks the ball against the Sharks during their Super 14 rugby match in Sydney on Saturday, March 7, 2010. The Waratahs defeated the Sharks 25-21. AAP Image/Paul Miller.
In today’s Sydney Morning Herald, Greg Growden offers the same opinion as the one Spiro Zavos has – that the Wallabies’ selectors would not have Cooper and Beale starting because of defensive deficiencies, whilst Barnes would still be picked at 5/8.
However, no mention is made of Barnes’ offensive deficiencies.
Berrick appears to have a raging case of white line fever.
All too often he gets overexcited in the red zone and fluffs a pass which results in him getting trampled. Why not start the most dynamic backline we have and let Barnes, an excellent utility man, warm up on the sidelines in case he’s needed?
Growden picks Beale to start at 15, which I hope happens. He thinks Ashley-Cooper is the most probable 13, which leaves out Horne.
At 8 he goes with Brown as his personal pick and the most likely selection. Palu and Higginbotham are both sidelined, but is there nobody else worth a shot? We’ve all seen Brown play in several tests, he’s a trier but a cut below international standard.
Growden’s team: Ashley-Cooper, Ioane, Horne, Giteau, Mitchell, Barnes, Valentine, Brown, Pocock, Elsom (c), Sharpe, Mumm, Ma’afu, Polota-Nau, Alexander. Res: Faingaa, Daley (if fit), Douglas, Hodgson, Sheehan, O’Connor, Cooper.
Likely Test team: Beale, Ioane, Ashley-Cooper, Giteau, Mitchell, Barnes, Burgess, Brown, Pocock, Elsom (c), Sharpe, Mumm, Alexander, Polota-Nau, Daley (if fit).
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.