Barnes happy to play any Wallabies role

Berrick Barnes says whether he or Kurtley Beale wears the Wallabies No.10 jersey in South Africa they’ll both be looking to write a happier chapter in Australia’s forgettable history in Pretoria.

The second-placed Wallabies flew out on Thursday for their final two Rugby Championship Tests, against the Springboks in Pretoria on Saturday week and against Argentina in Rosario a week later.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans was keeping quiet on who he’s chosen to replace injured five-eighth Quade Cooper but insisted it wouldn’t make too much difference whether the more mercurial Beale was at five-eighth and the reliable Barnes at fullback or vice versa.

“The way we structure our game, you’ll see both players involved in both roles, so it really doesn’t matter,” Deans said.

Beale, who was benched in favour of utility Barnes at fullback for the narrow win against Argentina last Saturday, agreed.

“It’s the nature of the game at the moment, you’re playing with essentially two 10’s either way,” said Beale.

“Whether it’s a 10 and 12 or 10 and 15, you’d like to have that adaptability to have two ball players on the park and if Robbie goes down that road with those positions I’m sure he’ll have those options.

“Robbie picks it and I’m happy to be in the team anywhere to be honest.”

After ending a 47-year win drought on South Africa’s high veldt in 2010, with Beale landing a monster late penalty in Bloemfontein, Barnes felt the young contingent of the Wallabies injury-hit squad were well placed to grab some more history with a first win in Pretoria, where they hold a 0-5 record.

“It hasn’t been the happiest hunting ground the high-veld,” said Barnes.

“So it’s another great opportunity for all of us to re-write some history.

“It’s a daunting task but it’s a pretty young group here and you can look at it two ways: there’s not a lot of experience there but there’s a lot of guys with carefree attitudes going over there to just have a crack and it’s a good headspace to be in.”

Australia will be looking to save face in their Rugby Championship campaign and can finish second in the series with wins over both the Springboks and the Pumas.

Under-fire coach Deans would welcome two wins on the road but, asked if it would alleviate any of the pressure on him in the wake of repeated losses to the All Blacks he said: “No I doubt it.”

“There’s always pressure, but I like the way you’re thinking.