A great return from injury from Berrick Barnes in the past two weeks has seen the NSW Waratah picked in the preliminary 25-man Wallabies squad for the British Lions Tour.
A lot of people are scratching their heads at this decision, but he truly does deserve to be there and will be an important component of the Wallabies squad.
Used by Michael Cheika as an impact player off the bench Barnes has been just that, leading the Waratahs to two crucial victories over the Stormers and the Australian Conference leading Brumbies, two wins that will keep the Waratahs season alive.
In his first game back from injury Barnes replaced Bernard Foley and was able to set up a match winning try for Israel Folau in the dying stages.
His influence in the next game against the Brumbies was much more damaging. He replaced inside centre Rob Horne at half-time with NSW trailing 13-6.
While it wasn’t a bad game for Horne, the Waratahs needed an extra playmaker and Barnes was just that.
Barnes’ ability to break the game open was paramount, as he was able to score a try after bursting through the line and also set up a try for open side flanker Michael Hooper.
Most importantly however is Barnes’ tactical kicking game, which NSW seemed to struggle with in the first half.
As even though they had most of the possession, the territory and Brumbies pressure led to their half time deficit.
In the second half however Barnes’ kicking game helped the Waratahs get out of dangerous territory and really spring boarded them in attack.
Another thing that is important to remember is that Barnes’ can play a variety of roles within a team his talents to be able to play a multiple amount of positions will benefit the Wallabies greatly.
Without Quade Cooper in the squad for now, Deans would have been thinking of adding a playmaker to help O’Connor out, with their only other option at the moment being Christian Leali’ifano who hasn’t even played a game for the Wallabies yet, and didn’t play the second half after injuring himself.
Don’t underestimate experience, Barnes has 50 caps for the Wallabies and with a continuation of form expect him to add to that tally.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Yeah I mean the last two games have shown he is a big game player.
GWS
Guest
If change was in the air it would start at the top. I fear we will see much the same as last year.
Worlds biggest
Guest
yeah Link had a terrible record at the Tahs, 3 Semi Final including 2 Finals appearances in 5 years. Only the most successful coach in Super Rugby history ! As for Barnes, the guy is a quality player no matter how you cut it, he can play 10,12 & 15 all well. People easily forget everyone wanted him and AAC as the centre combo in 2011 however injury and poor selection prevented this. He seems to save his best for the Welsh, 2007 & 11 World Cups and last year he was player of the series. Lets not forget he was excellent at Fullback on the EOYT. He hasn't played his best at the Tahs under Hickey / Foley. However I think he is a big game player not to mention his quality goal kicking.
Dcnz
Guest
The real story has not been written ... That is ...Link is a myth ... Beaten by the Cheetahs over there, not scoring tries, his star players waning and an abysmal record at the Tahs and Stade de Francais...
Hambone
Guest
barnes is our 'safety' .. but we need some flair, like when he came on against wales last year the same day his baby was born.. had an absolute blinder i felt, hopefully he has another bubba on the way come lions haha ;)
A Different Cat.
Guest
Barnes has been one of Australias best performing backs over the last few years. Thats according to the John Eales medal. Hate him all you like but those that know about rugby rate him. Im not saying that because I rate him, Im saying that because people who know their rugby vote for him in the John Eales medal.
peterlala
Guest
True, we're seeing Dr Jekyl at the moment, but I fear My Hyde.
AJ
Guest
You are well named.
Brendan Bradford
Roar Pro
There's obvious concern that he'll revert to his old ways, but I think he's got the right mix of tactical nous, kicking ability and - when he needs to have it - attacking flair to take on and beat the Lions. He's already proven himself capable of beating Northern Hemisphere teams.
Harry
Guest
Explains a fair bit .. if there is one 10 who NZ teams have utterly owned for the last years, its Berrick Barnes. Kiwis know he presents zero threat. Oh that's rght, you'd far rather have Quade at 10 for the Walls, look how he went in the RWC semi, etc etc (ignores 4 for 4 this year in SR, Bled 2011, SR final 2011)
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Despite being a Barnes-sceptic, i have to agree with you brendan about sat night. All his decisions were spot on and he played with the kind of composure we need at test level. i particularly recall the banana kick you refer to, one of the best defensive kicks with this angle i have seen in a long time. Yet, should we forget the up and unders and grubber kicks he has been abusing of in the last few years and even at the beginning of the season with the tahs? dunno really but as goes the saying "you are only as good as your last game' and he was pretty good in his last game. Tbh, i would have liked to see him fighting for a spot with the 6 rather than a de facto spot in the 25 but Deans knows what he is looking for, i presume.
Brendan Bradford
Roar Pro
Yep. Watch Brumbies game closely and you'll see he looks to run or pass (spark a counter attack) first. When he does kick, there's no other option and they're great kicks - ie, banana kick from inside own 22 that reaches halfway.
The Battered Slav
Guest
Nope, I don't want the Wallabies to fail. That's precisely why I am a bit cranky about some fo the selections. I'm happy for Barnes to come off the Bench to cover 15 and 12, potentially 10 if needed. However, i do not like the idea of the Wallabies' game plan being structured around the boot of Barnes. But then again, just an opinionated sunuvabitch that wants the Wallabies to win, and the best chance they have of this is not playing 10 man rugby.
The Battered Slav
Guest
Evident his kicking game has been tamed? On the basis of playing hw many minutes? I hope you're right though, and if so, props to Cheika for being able to do what no other coach has been able to do. I do like what I've seen from Cheika so far...
The Battered Slav
Guest
That wasn't a test match against the Lions now was it. I dare say there's a whole lot more pressure that's going to be applied by the Lions than the Brums in super rugby. I sincerely hope the mindless optimism of tahs fans proves correct, I will be ever so happy to be proven wrong and for Barnes to play a proper attacking game and kick when it's on, rather than when nothing is on for lack of any other ideas. Come on Berrick, prove me wrong. Please.
Rank
Guest
You will all eat your words when we beat the Lions 3-0 & Barnes plays an important role off the bench. Your comments almost willing the Wallabies to fail, so you can grin smugly at your superior rugby foresight. However, nearly all of the anti-Dean comments offer no alternative to the current Wallaby selection & are clouded by past Deantime Wallaby performances. The players have developed, the mix has been tweaked and most importantly- the attitude of the players has changed, without Cooper the clown. The performance of Oz Super 14 teams should be an indication of that. Change is in the air, even impartial blind Freddie can see that.
Brendan Bradford
Roar Pro
True, he's only played about an hour this year, but he was the spark that won both the last two games for the Tahs. And he did the same thing against the Welsh last year. In his limited time on the pitch, it's evident his kicking game has been tamed by Cheika. Last year - when the forwards really weren't giving him a decent platform - kicking would be his first option. So far in 2013 though, we have seen Barnes look to run or pass the ball before choosing to kick. One of the best 12s in the country.
Sharminator
Roar Rookie
c´mon ... you have to be joking. Barnes virtually hasnt played this year .. and he´s announced he is skipping the country after the Rugby Championship anyway. His selection is senseless ... and based on form and fitness .. the Lions must be laughing at his selection over Quade.
Dan
Guest
Me too. He's a significantly more composed player than Cooper, has a lower error rate and he's a much more committed defender. I'm better that as the season wears on he'll just get better too under Cheika
Dan
Guest
Yeah, because there was no pressure on him when he came on after half time and the Waratahs were trailing 13-6...