Barnes in cup mix

By Jim Tucker
June 20, 2007

QUEENSLAND fly half Berrick Barnes has been selected ahead of Sam Norton-Knight for Australia A's face-saving mission in Suva on Saturday, boosting his hopes of winning a berth in the Wallabies' Rugby World Cup squad.

Norton-Knight performed only modestly as Steve Larkham's understudy for Australia against Wales and Fiji, so the door is still ajar for Barnes to prove he is worth a shot.

Barnes is still developing as a game controller yet his recent A team display against Japan in Townsville was one of his best of the season.

It would have been advantageous for Barnes to be measured against the far more intense pressure of the Junior All Blacks last weekend, but Norton-Knight was preferred.

The Dunedin disaster might not have been a bad match to miss, as Australia A's 50-0 thrashing did few Rugby World Cup selection favours for those who glaringly missed tackles and didn't muscle up in the forwards.

"We've been in disguise under beanies ever since," Australia A coach Laurie Fisher said yesterday after training in Auckland.

"There was a lot of stung pride in Dunedin so there are plenty of footballers out to put up a far better showing against Fiji in Suva."

Cameron Shepherd is set to play at full back, which seems certain to give pacy youngster Lachie Turner the chance to reprise his three-try A team outing against Tonga on the wing.

Shepherd wasn't the only Wallabies player returning from injury against the Junior All Blacks who looked short of a gallop.

Reds prop Rodney Blake needs some solid rugby to sharpen his scrummaging and workrate.

He lasted just 25 minutes at training yesterday before pulling up with an ankle niggle so he will have to be assessed today before getting the all-clear to face Fiji.

Queensland second row and flanker Hugh McMeniman also needs more game time.