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Berrick Barnes should replace Matt Giteau at inside centre in a bid to fix the Wallabies' defensive woes, Fox Sports rugby commentator Greg Martin says.
While the Wallabies' attack was brilliant in the 26-24 Bledisloe Cup victory over New Zealand in Hong Kong, All Blacks centre Ma'a Nonu exposed Australia's defensive problems in midfield.
And with Matt Giteau handing over the goalkicking duties to young gun James O’Connor, Martin, a former Wallabies fullback, sees no reason why Barnes shouldn't come in to partner Quade Cooper.
"Cooper has to stay because of what he offers in attack, and he tries hard and gets in the way, but he's more of a speed bump (in defence)," Martin told foxsports.com.au of the five-eighth.
"Therefore we need to fix the 12 position, and Berrick Barnes offers the answer. From his days in rugby league, his tackling technique is superb."
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans may be reluctant to alter a winning combination, however, particularly since his side has scored some of the finest tries seen in recent memory.
Drew Mitchell's five-pointer, which came as a result of a break by Kurtley Beale, and Adam Ashley-Cooper's solo effort cut the All Blacks to pieces - a rare sight in previous encounters.
But Martin says the Wallabies' attack would not be compromised by the inclusion of Barnes, with the New South Wales Waratahs star providing a more-direct running line.
"Barnes offers straightness in attack, as shown by that show-and-go and dummy he threw that almost put O'Connor away as soon as he came on," he told foxsports.com.au.
"So his straightness in attack is a perfect foil for Cooper, and in defence he’s magnificent; so there's two strings that he has.
"When is the last time anyone can remember Matt Giteau running across field, dummying, then making a gap on the outside? That used to be his main go."
With the drought-breaking victory over the All Blacks behind them, the Wallabies have arrived in Europe with renewed confidence.
They face Wales in Cardiff early on Sunday morning (EDT), with Tests against England, Italy and France, along with two midweek matches, to follow.
Martin believes the Wallabies can complete an undefeated spring tour, especially if they continue to attack with the precision they showed in Hong Kong.
"They're playing a brand of rugby that will completely bamboozle the Northern Hemisphere teams," he said of the Wallabies.
While all seemed lost earlier in the season, particularly when Australia lost 21-20 to England at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, the Wallabies have shown enough to suggest they are developing into a side that can seriously challenge at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Australia's two World Cup triumphs (1991 and 1999) came on the back of victories over New Zealand in the previous season, a fact not lost on Martin.
The Wallabies defeated the All Blacks 21-9 in Wellington in 1990, while they completed a clean sweep of the 1998 Bledisloe Cup 3-0.
"Go back to 1990, the victory against the All Blacks, that paved the way for the Wallabies to have belief and also put doubt in the All Blacks' minds," Martin said.
"Similarly, the Test series in 1998, when Australia completely outplayed the All Blacks for the first time in years, that also ruined the All Backs for 1999 World Cup and set us on the road to winning the World Cup."
The inclusion of Barnes may yet prove to be the final piece in a backline puzzle that is very nearly complete.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/wa...-1225947251070