Barnes ready for the big boys
Recovering centre Berrick Barnes is confident his relatively light frame can handle a potential battering from bigger opponents Jean de Villiers and Ma'a Nonu in Australia's forthcoming Tri-Nations clashes.
Recovering Wallabies centre Berrick Barnes is confident his relatively light frame can handle a potential battering from bigger opponents Jean de Villiers and Ma'a Nonu in Australia's forthcoming Tri-Nations clashes.
He was optimistic about being fit for Australia's Tri-Nations opener against South African in Perth on July 19 and confident his body could stand up to the punishment likely to be meted out by the likes of De Villiers and Nonu.
Barnes tips the scales at 87kg, while Nonu is listed at 104kg and De Villiers at 103kg.
“They are not small guys, but I've come up against them before in Super 14, so it's not something I'm daunted by in any respect,” Barnes told AAP.
“Whoever is going to play there has got a tough challenge.”
The Reds inside centre revealed the shoulder injury he suffered last weekend in Australia's 40-10 win against France had improved markedly in recent days.
“On Sunday, I was moving around like a bit of a cripple. Come Monday and Tuesday, I've been training all right,” said Barnes.
“The passing has been fine and I'll just stay out of contact for this week and hopefully get it around.”
The 22-year-old felt his combination with Wallaby playmaker Matt Giteau has worked well in the initial stages of the season, but the true test will be in the form of some intimidating Springbok and All Blacks defensive lines.
Barnes is confident these defences can be breached, listing his team-mates' variation as a major plus.
“We've got options all over the park,” he said.
“I suppose on the weekend we never got to really get past four or five phases because we either put the ball down or we made a break.
“We haven't got it to full fruition, but it's coming along. Obviously with the addition of Timana (Tahu) and a few others there in the squad, it's exciting.”