Giteau v Cipriani excites Barnes
Berrick Barnes is relishing the battle in prospect between his Australia team-mate Matt Giteau and England opposite number Danny Cipriani when they clash at Twickenham.
Berrick Barnes is relishing the battle in prospect between his Australia team-mate Matt Giteau and England opposite number Danny Cipriani when they clash at Twickenham.
Barnes, who suffered a knee ligament injury in the 30-20 defeat of Italy last weekend which has ruled him out of the rest of the Wallabies' European tour, acknowledges Cipriani is one of England's exciting prospects – but he is intrigued to see how he will cope with the pressure of facing one of the world's best sides on Saturday.
“He is obviously a talent,” said Barnes, himself a regular at fly-half.
“He is a young guy with a lot of weight on his shoulders but he has an opportunity now to set himself up for the next 10 years.
“I think it is amazing how he has come back off his broken leg as well. It will be interesting to see him go up against 'Gits' this weekend.
“One of his hardest things is that he has a lot of pressure on him. Everyone is looking to him as the next big thing. He carries himself pretty confidently.
“He will come up against some really good tens in the next couple of weeks – Matt Giteau and (New Zealand's) Dan Carter. They will give him an indication, and everyone else, of where he is.”
Cipriani, 21, has started just two Tests – on Saturday against the Pacific Islanders and against Ireland in the final match of the Six Nations earlier this year – although it seems as though he has been around for longer.
He was on the cusp of his first start in March against Scotland but was dropped from the squad for being photographed leaving a nightclub after midnight on the day England were due to travel to Edinburgh, and then suffered a career-threatening ankle injury playing for Wasps.
Media attention is something Barnes knows all about.
“I do get my photo taken,” he said.
“Public expectation has got to the extent now where you do worry about going out for a beer with your mates, and you can't be yourself at some places at home.
“I tend to go to house parties and have a beer with mates. It is a shame to see where it has gone – but it comes with the territory nowadays.”
Barnes, 22, would “dearly love” to be playing at the weekend – particularly having dwelled for more than a year on the memories of the 2007 World Cup, when Australia lost in the quarter-finals to Brian Ashton's England.
“I am disappointed,” he said.
“I will get an MRI scan this afternoon. I hope it won't need surgery. The doc reckons it is the PCL [posterior cruciate ligament], which usually needs four to six weeks off.
“I've been enjoying it – and it was good to get a chance to start at ten, get back in the position.
“I hadn't played there since England last year (in the World Cup). I would have dearly loved to be involved this weekend, that's for sure.
“Sitting in the stand watching the semi-final and watching Jonny (Wilkinson) kick them into the finals, this was something I wanted to be back for.
“Missing this game is pretty disappointing – but saying that, we have plenty of other blokes ready and keen. Qaude (Cooper) showed at the weekend he can step up, so that is positive for us.”
Cooper, who scored a late try to see off the Italians, was not the only new player at the weekend. Utility back James O'Connor also impressed, as did Ben Alexander at loosehead, although Barnes admits the team were not on top form.
“We were probably guilty of not being on it mentally as much as we could be,” said Barnes, who was replaced after only 15 minutes.
“That won't be an issue this weekend. We will be ready to go.
“You have your weeks in 'footie' where you are not quite mentally right. Last weekend will keep us in the right mental state for this week.”
He has a healthy regard for the opposition.
“England have got a few young guys – they are having a changing of the guard with Cipriani and their new full-back. They have shown they can use the ball a bit too,” he said.
“It is exciting. We are looking at the same thing. We had three debutants at the weekend and are in the same boat as England, looking to play an exciting brand of rugby. It is part of us evolving as a team.”