Berrick Barnes returns for a tough trip to Dunedin
Wallaby Star, Berrick Barnes. Photo via The Sydney Morning Herald.
Morgan Piek – The Waratahs have this morning announced their team to play the inform Highlanders in Dunedin. After the Tahs convincing win over the Melbourne Rebels last week, few surprises should have been expected. The most significant change to the team is the inclusion of Berrick Barnes at inside centre.
The injury prone Barnes is a class act and can walk into any team, anywhere in the world. What makes his inclusion significant is that he was included at the expense of Tom Carter. Carter can count himself very unlucky especially considering; he scored two tries in the Waratahs previous game.
Personally I would have rather seen Rob Horne move to the bench and have Tom Carter move to outside centre. Bernard Foley retains his spot in the side at fullback. Barnes could have even covered at fullback at the expense of Foley. Barnes is good kicker and this will definatelty benefit the men from Sydney.
The return of Barnes left coach, Michael Foley with a few sleepless nights regarding his team selection. The biggest off course was where to play Barnes. Another option was playing Barnes at flyhalf, in the place of their captain Daniel Halangahu. Although this was an option, I highly doubt it was even considered. Halangahu has started the season really well leading and kicking from the front.
Nevertheless, the Waratahs are one of very few teams this season with the luxury of depth in their squad. Currently lying sixth on the log, the Tahs are not in a bad place. With a long season laying ahead their depth will most certainly be put to the test.
Having to travel to Dunedin is never an easy task for any team. The Crusaders can vouch for that. What is more significant is the fact that the Highlanders are not a team loaded with stars. Yet they seem to have this newfound believe in themselves. I think their new home ground; the beautiful Forsyth Barr Stadium has added some value to this new mind-set of the Highlanders. Winning two from two is something they have not experienced in a long time, even more significant is the calibre of the opponents beaten in these two games.
This late Green Bay Packers coach, Vince Lombardi best sums up the new self-belief displayed by the men from Otago in his famous quote, “You never win a game unless you beat the guy in front of you. The score on the board doesn’t mean a thing. That’s for the fans. You’ve got to win the war with the man in front of you. You’ve got to get your man.”
The Warathas team combined with Highlanders team spirit gives me this sneaky suspicion that the game in Dunedin might just be the game of the weekend. It should be a tough one for the bookies to call. After all the Highlanders vs. Crusaders game last weekend was by far the best game played thus far in the 2012 Super Rugby season. It was an absolute cracking game. I consider myself very lucky to have witnessed this humdinger.
The Waratahs team is as follows:
15. Bernard Foley, 14. Tom Kingston, 13. Rob Horne, 12. Berrick Barnes, 11. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10. Daniel Halangahu (Captain), 9. Sarel Pretorius, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. Pat McCutcheon, 6. Dave Dennis, 5. Kane Douglas, 4. Dean Mumm, 3. Sekope Kepu, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Benn Robinson.
Reserves: 16. John Ulugia, 17. Paddy Ryan, 18. Lopeti Timani, 19. Chris Alcock, 20. Brendan McKibbin, 21. Tom Carter, 22. Brackin Karuaria-Henry.
The Highlanders Team: To be announced.
Highlanders vs. Waratahs:
Kick-off: 8:35am CAT.
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand).
Assistant referees: Vinny Munro (New Zealand), Garratt Williamson (New Zealand).
TMO: Kane McBride (New Zealand).
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