Goalkicking ace Mike Harris held out a fit Berrick Barnes to keep his place at fullback for the Wallabies’ European tour opener against France in Paris on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).
Barnes, who hasn’t played since puncturing his lung in the September 30 loss to South Africa in Pretoria, has been included on the bench as coach Robbie Deans named the same backline that ran out against New Zealand in Brisbane last month.
Harris kicked six penalty goals that night in Australia’s 18-18 draw with the All Blacks.
Deans made three changes to his forward pack with tighthead prop Sekope Kepu, blindside flanker Dave Dennis and second-rower Kane Douglas all getting starts in the Nathan Sharpe-led side.
Kepu comes in for James Slipper while Dennis replaces the suspended Scott Higginbotham at No.6 and Douglas in for the injured Sitaleki Timani (hamstring).
Veteran Stephen Moore returns to action off the bench after overcoming a hamstring injury while rookie prop Paddy Ryan is also on the pine.
As expected, champion flanker David Pocock wasn’t selected but has trained strongly and is on track to face England at Twickenham on Saturday week.
Flying winger Digby Ioane was given every chance to prove his fitness this week as he continues his comeback from a knee injury but he hasn’t quite measured up.
Drew Mitchell is another Wallaby on the comeback trail who has trained well in France this week and he’s expected to feature in the tour soon.
Wallabies team: Mike Harris, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Ben Tapuai, Pat McCabe, Nick Cummins, Kurtley Beale, Nick Phipps, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Res: Stephen Moore, James Slipper, Paddy Ryan, Rob Simmons, Radike Samo, Liam Gill, Brett Sheehan, Berrick Barnes.
bennalong
Guest
Eh, eh, eh!
bennalong
Guest
Absolutely They're already doing the Coogee steps this year
Ra
Guest
That's cause they've now got a decent coach
Ra
Guest
The beauty of starting with no chance as you say, is that you just can't lose. And All Blacks know OConner doesn't pass.
Red Block
Guest
Deans knows where his bread is buttered and where the votes are. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
GWS
Guest
Barnes has no chance of dislodging mcabe let alone joc
Kipper
Guest
Or Deans' pay is linked to the number of Waratah players he can get into the team :-)
rl
Guest
just goes to prove how bad the Tahs pre-season was - they are only reaching full fitness NOW!!!!!!
Kipper
Guest
7 Waratahs in the pack ? What the ########
Blue Blood
Guest
There is just getting lazy and letting your fitness decline. Then thee is turning into a binge drinking thug who is above the law and doesn't give a rats about his team mates, fans or career. KB takes it to extremes and always has. He's a roller coaster.
Ra
Guest
I remember Jed Rowlands, a pretty good winger who went on to coach his beloved Taranki in the late 1990s (how time flies) and also the women's team to another world championship to prove he was still a good coach after probably leading the long line of non JAFA coaches whose reputations took a drubbing at the head of the Auckland Blues. Rowlands was addressing a group of aspiring All Blacks at an Under 16s trial at the All Blacks facility, Massey University, in the Manawatu. In that session he talked about decision makers. He embellished the roll of the fly half (for want of a word) and said in a perfect world he'd like to have a whole back line of them because of all the skills the five eight brings to a game (that don't need to be listed for expert Roarers). Ironically, Taranaki had three All Blacks first fives in it's back line when it held the Ranfurly Sheild back in 1964-1966 era. And I guess it's no coincidence that Deans has three Test level five eights in his squad too. I'm not surprised Harris has been retained, and when Barnes slots back in at 2nd 5/8 Deano will have a pretty slick Crusader-like back line
jameswm
Guest
Yeah when injured KB's weight balloons. It's always been the case. I mean, if you have an arm injury, you can still run. With most leg injuries, you can still do the stationery cycle or swim. How does a professional sportsman let themself get so out of shape?
Jutsie
Guest
Rebels are as responsible or even more responsible than the ARU for his fitness during off-season, and Im saying this as a rebels supporter. He started the super season terribly out of shape after recovering from the hammy tear he picked up in the world cup and was finally finding some good form before he hurt his shoulder against the hurricanes. It seems he thinks that being in rehab for an injury means he doesnt need to do any fitness training at all.
jameswm
Guest
You think our options are so great? A choice between Barnes and Harris? We need Cooper or Leali'ifano to come back so Kurtley can go back to 15. And on the topic - can the ARU PLEASE ensure someone is watching Kurtley's weight/fitness during the off season? Haven't they worked it out yet? Hasn't he?
Justin2
Guest
We have to have a 6-2 man bench to cover Palu ;)
Felix
Guest
But u ausies are lucky,we need a fullback mate :-)
moaman
Roar Guru
Oh good...now I can start harping on about a SIX-two split! ;-)