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Berrick Barnes is eager to shoulder load
Harris | July 10, 2008
WALLABIES inside centre Berrick Barnes is confident he will recover from a shoulder injury to play against the Springboks in Perth on Saturday week, which is just as well because he will have a key defensive role in the Tri-Nations series.
Barnes, who injured his AC joint in the 40-10 win over France in Brisbane last Saturday, will have two important defensive assignments against the Springboks and All Blacks.
Although Barnes (87kg) will be giving up a significant amount of weight, his ability to stop hard-running centres Jean de Villiers (103kg) and Ma'a Nonu (104kg) will be crucial to the Wallabies' chances.
"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 said.
"Whoever is going to play there has a tough challenge."
Barnes said his shoulder had improved markedly.
"On Sunday, I was moving around like a bit of a cripple," Barnes said.
"Come Monday and today,...
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