Cultured fullback Berrick Barnes has slammed claims the Wallabies are enjoying a Contiki Tour in Europe.
The Wallabies came under attack leading into last weekend’s 20-14 win over England with a media report suggesting the Australian players were simply swanning around Europe and making a fortune doing it.
The Australians copped a wave of criticism following their humiliating 33-6 loss in the first game of the tour against France in Paris.
Barnes noted that players have one day off a week on the four-Test tour and they are entitled to take in the sights of historic cities like Paris and Florence should they choose.
“You’re here mate … you’re not going to tell me you’re not going to go out and look at the Duomo or any of the great sights while you’re here in Florence,” Barnes told AAP.
“You don’t want to look back on your footy career and think I was in Florence and all I saw was the hotel. You’d be kicking yourself.
“You’ve got to get out and experience it but it’s no Contiki Tour like people are trying to say. Comments like that hurt because we are working hard.
“Nobody was happy with the France game and we worked hard and turned that around.”
Barnes can’t see the harm in players getting away from rugby for a while – as he famously did himself during the 2007 World Cup in France when the Wallabies’ youngest squad member back-packed solo through Europe.
“Blokes are entitled to go out on their day off and try and get a bit of balance off the field. That can be golf or whatever they want to do and so they should,” he said.
“We’ve got our priorities right and when we train, we train hard.”
The Wallabies play Italy in Florence on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) before heading to Cardiff to face Wales a week later in the final Test of the tour.
From the sideline
Guest
Overpaid for what they produce.
Hoy
Roar Guru
And there it is. For those people at the top of the responses saying "how dare an old, ex-player come out and say such a thing", I am sure they, as I am, are looking at last nights game, and indeed every single game this year, and wondering why the players aren't working at getting their game right. Unfair criticism? Perhaps. But they are playing very poorly, and they continually serve up dross. Secondly, who the hell says Barnes is cultured?
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Given last nights effort, maybe they need to change their scheduling - one rest day a week is too much - as they perform well only every second week then it is fitting that they only get a day off every second week.
mick
Guest
Having just watched the Italy game, all I can say is YES, they obviously ARE just on a Contiki tour. It was Barnes himself that proved it by refusing to play the game out when in attack at the end of the game, instead just being content to kick it out and get back to the Contiki sightseeing. What an ordinary display of rugby, with no passion or commitment from a lacklustre team who are obviously annoyed at their holiday being interrupted by having to play games of rugby.
Schuey
Guest
I third that.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Roger - others reporting similar on mobile browsers. Will endeavour to fix - thanks!
Atawhai Drive
Guest
They are on the iPad, Tristan. One just started as I got to the end of previous sentence. Will check if it's happeniing on the desktop when I get home. Might be a settings issue with the iPad.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Are videos playing automatically for you Atawhai? This is not a feature! We don't want this to happen, so let me know if so.
Atawhai Drive
Guest
The Contiki story was silly beyond belief.. But arrrrrggghhh! What's with the autoplay sports news? Who dreamed that one up? How do I turn the autoplay feature off?
Bigjohn
Guest
Whats wrong with Contiki anyway... Have been on 3 tours with them and enjoyed plenty of cultural sightseeing .
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Who said it was a contiki tour ?
Rugby Diehard
Guest
Bruski - totally behind you - I cant believe this even a story
Tigranes
Guest
Didn't Willie mason make a comment that a previous kangaroo tour was like a contiki trip?
mark
Guest
nothing in this. foxsports trying to create a story last week criticising how much money they get paid comparing it to a contiki tour which are apparently awful anyway. couped up on a bus trying to squeeze in 17 countries in 16 days.. no thanks. frankly if you're not getting paid good money for representing your country in a professional sport than that should be criticised. europe is amazing as many of us know, so let the boys experience the culture ffs
bruski
Roar Pro
I cannot even believe this is a story..
Gurudoright
Guest
Quite right too. I remember reading the said article in last Saturday's terrorgraph and thinking that these league journalist never report the Kangaroos being on 'contiki' tours despite often doing the same things in their down time. Kent and Webster are just league fan boys who need to write something negative to appease their masters
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
On ya Berrick for saying it straight. Let's be honest, one of the fantastic things about being a top flight Rugby player is travelling the world & site seeing with a great bunch of team mates. Your time at the top is so short. Best to embrace Rugby, Life & all that comes with it. ;)
NicolasPA
Guest
Agree
Ra
Guest
Too many pathetic couch potatoes who never played the game to the level whinging at someone else's success. Go for it boys, you deserve it.
Bazza Allblack Supporter
Roar Rookie
Totally agree