On August 18, either Berrick Barnes or Quade Cooper will steer the Wallabies around ANZ Stadium against the All Blacks in the opening match of The Rugby Championship.
If I was selecting the team, I would go for Barnes over Cooper at 10, however in a perfect world, I would like to see Barnes shift to 12 with Cooper inside him.
Whatever combination Deans chooses, he needs to consider it carefully as it will impact greatly on the rest of the backline.
“[T]here’s potential domino effects on other positions and how we cover them. The only certainties are Kurtley Beale and Adam Ashley Cooper,” Deans said a fortnight ago.
It would be a massive gamble to drop Barnes after consecutive man-of-the-match performances. However, as he well as he played throughout the June Test series against Wales, the Wallabies only scored five tries in the three games.
The Wallabies need Cooper at 10 for his superior attacking skill, with Barnes continuing to play a controlled, distributing role at 12. We can’t solely rely on the safety of Barnes against The All Blacks and Springboks; we need it juxtaposed with Cooper’s unpredictability.
In saying that however, Cooper did miss the recent Test series due to lack of match fitness and hasn’t played a lot of rugby in the last 12 months. Despite Cooper’s defence improving dramatically since 2011, I think Barnes’ main advantage over him is his all round game.
If Deans wants Pat McCabe at 12, I would go for Barnes at 10 for this reason. However I’d rather push McCabe to 13 as I don’t see him to be a great distributor in comparison to Barnes.
Another option is for Deans to put Beale at 10, who shone for a lifeless Rebels side this season. However, he is by far and away the best fullback in the country and it would be a mistake to move him.
It will be interesting when James O’Connor comes back as he too could slot into the 10 jumper.
He handled the position with aplomb against Wales following Cooper’s World Cup injury. Despite only playing a handful of games this season, he still managed to squeeze into the top 10 for average metres gained.
When fit, I would slot him straight back into the starting side on the wing. He’s simply too much of a talent to keep on the sideline.
Furthermore, Deans could ease Cooper back into international rugby by giving him an impact role. Cooper could come off the bench at around the 60 minute mark, who, coupled with the injection of Nic White, would undoubtedly spark the backline.
It’s a shame Christian Lealiifano has been ruled out to a season ending ankle injury. For me, he was by far the best Australian five eighth this Super Rugby season.
His ability to take the ball to the line and create multiple options is where he outshines Barnes. He will no doubt be a major contender for a starting spot when he returns.
As much as I think we need Cooper back, I don’t think Deans will opt for him in the first game, as he recently hinted Barnes will stay where he is, “Quade’s coming back and he’s going to need to play some rugby. He hasn’t played any rugby really over the last year.”
If he stays with Barnes, it’s quite understandable as his partnership with Genia has blossomed. Genia has taken a more dominant role, with Barnes successfully taking a backseat.
I don’t think I need to comment on Cooper’s World Cup campaign, where Barnes stunningly received a standing ovation when he substituted Cooper against the Boks.
I think Cooper’s confidence took a massive beating as a result. Yet Cooper has been a more controlled player since, exemplified in his six games this season where he didn’t overplay his hand, having greater impact with his fewer touches.
One needs to question when or if he will ever be able to convert his Super Rugby form on to the international stage. When he does, he will be the one of the best players in the world.
james
Guest
hahahah so funny its accutally the other way around. obviously u dont watch the games properly. its because of berrick that they won that game against wales. and has WON many games because of berrick.quade cooper is just a show pony and barnes has is an amazing player and true talent , yeah quade cooper has talent but isnt has good as barnes. quade cooper shouldn't be played first over berrick it should be the other way around . Barnes get the most goals compared to quade cooper. quade is no perfect player. quade cooper misses more passes than berrick. you all who support quade are all talking through your hat.
Chuckles
Guest
Deans needs to get it in his head aus cant beat all blacks playing percentage rugby Cooper is a risk but hes only chance they can win ,campo wasent a percentage rugby player was he
Damo
Guest
Jutsie regarding your hypothesis - iF Quade 'implodes again' Assumes that he actually did implode. He had a poor world cup yes but that must be seen in context of his youth, his 'crimes' against the saint and nz mob abuse. I think he did well in the circumstances. But granted - he did not shine. And this is another year, he is a year older and it seems a little wiser. I may be wrong but he may rise above the crises of 2011 and grow to be great. Unlike you I don't think he is a spent force by any means. Time, and wallaby parity with the NZ forward pack, will tell.
Sircoolalot
Guest
For the first game i'd go with Barnes at 10 and Cooper on the bench, just to ease him back into things. If he makes an impact then start him the next game.
Dave
Guest
Exactly. Wales were very ordinary and frankly - compared to the way they played in the pool rounds of the WC which was excellent - they were actually quite poor. The fact that the Wallabies barely managed to beat them in tight results is a sad reflection on our complete lack of tactical attention. If you review the matches, there were no players rushing back to support the fullback to counter attack; when we had the ball, it was typical one out running. No 2 lines of attack, no players running decoys, no attempt to use the MANY overlaps we had and wasted. In fact, the one time we used our only decent attacking switch (where Pocock passes to our No.10 to go wide - aka Hong Kong 2010), Horne had his wing open but instead went himself and almost stuffed up a certain try. We have no tactics, and no gameplan. If Deans want to merely opt for penalty wins based on territory and defence - then as I said prior to the WC semi last year - forget Cooper. Make Barnes 10, bring in your defensive centres, and make Mark Gerrard fullback - at least he has a good boot and its not like Deans intends for us to play attacking rugby anyway. If instead we want to play the type of rugby the paying public wishes to see, fans support, and our players desperate to show - then get rid of Deans
Rory
Guest
BARNES failed consistently for the Waratahs all year. Proved he can run and tackle, but his kicking was woeful most of the time, and his passing ordinary at best. Wouldn't like to be one of the centres playing outside him. I think he proved he's a player who implodes when under pressure.
Ash
Guest
We need our attack to spark and unfortunately Barnes showed that it wasn't where we wanted it to be against Wales. I prefer him at 2nd five where he can be an alternative 1st five. I'm hoping Quade can pull it out this year and guide the Wallabies home.
Gnostic
Guest
So many people still want to blame QC for the RWC. I suppose the short sighted need their scape goat players since they cannot really analyse a game. It was the same with the 2007 RWC, Sharpe took the blame for the set piece failure and yet the same individuals blaming him regard Vickerman as a messiah. It will matter very little who plays at 10 if Deans continues on the path he plotted against Wales and in the RWC, tactics wise and selection wise. The Wallabies played extremely narrow with very little in the way of bacline players in motion, backing up or working to make any sort of overlap. The Wallabies method of play revolves solely on grinding out penalties to get close to the opposition line with the only tries scored of turnover ball or first phase set piece. In fact it can be said that the Wallabies best back against Wales was Higginbotham because of where Deans had him positioned on the field. The Wallaby backs in the RWC and against Wales didn't play in any pattern or with any real tactic to create a try. So in that case picking Cooper is a waste of time unless you want him trying too hard to create things all on his own. If you doubt this assessment go through the Wales games (I understand the RWC games will be much too painful for most to stomach) and look for yourself. If you can find a discernable pattern of play, or tactic apart from bash it up one or two off the ruck please post a link to the footage. Please don't be fooled by the single time the Wallabies went wide to Ioane for him to be run out. Until Deans is sacked it won't matter who is picked in the backs at all. Funny given he was a back.
Carnivean
Guest
Agreed. Giteau was great outside Larkham, but hopeless as a 10. If Barnes is a better 10, then why was it that the Waratah's backline never fired, but when QC was playing, then the Red's were finding holes everywhere?
Dexter William
Roar Guru
You have lost your argument as soon as you mentioned Giteau.
Justin2
Guest
He is a better defender, granted. His tactical kicking is superior though somewhat over rated. HIs running and passing game is average, especially compred to QC. His vision and abilities to get others involved and create space and ordinary compared to QC.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
jameswm the injury to Palu and to almost every good candidate on the right wing makes this Bledisloe a much tougher prospect than it might have been (not that it would ever have been easy).
jameswm
Guest
By the way I meant Diggers on the other wing.
jameswm
Guest
Ha - oops! Of course, I meant Diggers. I don't think JOC can quite cover both wings at the same time.
matt
Guest
Barnes is a much better 10.his defence and tactical kicking etc.its been proven a few times QC can't tackle.he chokes under pressure in big games.BB for 10.wallabies are missing Giteau
Adam-15
Roar Pro
I agree that barnes isn't exactly the answer and when Leali'ifano returns things will be sure to change. But i think that at this moment in time if Quade wants to start at 10 he needs berrick at 12 to reduce the pressure on himself, especialy against the Ab's
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Post has hit the nail on the head I reckon. ;) IMHO it's Cooper in a ballsy role of the dice with Harris at 12 and Barnsey on the bench in case he's needed. :(
Adam-15
Roar Pro
That is exactly the dream backline that i have in mind. But for this test series, especially against the AB's i would be very worried about having Quade starting at 10. If he starts at 10 he definitely needs a ball playing 12 on his outside. He hasnt shown yet that he can take all the pressure himself by having crash ball 12's like McCabe. Beale doesnt need to be a ball player at the back, if he can concentrate on running through gaps and counter attacking with Barnes and Cooper providing for him then i think that is the right combination. On the other hand if barnes starts at 10, he does have the cool-headedness to take the pressure, but he needs someone better than A Fainga'a and McCabe at 12. Preferably Tapuai IMO. Although i am interested to see Anthony back in the 12 jumper for the first time in a while, but our weakest link will again be Horne. Yep he can tackle... what else? not good enough, not even close. Tapuai, Cummins, Smith and even Inman should be playing 13.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
PeterK too true and they'll blame it on something else!
PeterK
Roar Guru
I would go further play Barnes if you want to minimise the loss (against top teams, or squeek wins against NH sides).