Larkham V. Barnes?

Question

So is it out with the old in with the new for Australia?

Or is young Berrick Barnes not going to be able to live up to the legendary Stephen Larkham.

Personally, I'd love to see the pair share the role, they would be a dynamic team and are both an asset to the Wallabies.

Answer 1

There is absolutely no way on this Earth that Australia will win the RWC this year without Larkham.  Barnes will be chewed up and spat out by McCaw and if he does survive that and somehow they get a win, I think they should change the final to a rating of PG 13 for some graphic violence after what Burger will do to him.

Larkham is the key for Australia, George Smith even said it to the press.  They are in a world of trouble right now with Larkham's infection in his knee.  He is out for the Canada game AND the England game AND is only likely to come off the bench AT BEST in the Semi.  You have to believe that his age is not going to help with a speedy recovery despite his amazing history with injury recovery.

Before the WC started everyone knew the forwards weren't game winners but the backs could pull off a championship if they held together.  Looks like the kingpin is falling out and they are about to crumble.  If Larkham is out then one injury in the backs would seriously drop them down to a point that even England could topple them in the QF.

I am no Wobbly fan but NO ONE wants England to win at ANYTHING.

Answer 2

I think this one has solved it's self ..

Larkham has had to have more surgery on his knee and may not front again in this world cup .

Barnes has the job against England in the quater match by default really so I guess he has to step up and take over ..

Barnes - The Future

Larkham - The Past

Time to move on ..

Answer 3

I think Barnes will step up, this is a prime opportunity to show everyone what he's made of and put to rest speculation that there is life after Larkham.  Barnes has got one shot, this is it. Do or die.

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Answer 4

Berrick Barnes will surely not be expected to play in the knock out rounds.

The pressure will squash the kid. Might as well paint a target on the back of his jumper.

He is a young talent who has just played in his first year of S14 getting some valuable experience at his first world cup - but he is far from a big match player just yet.

Larkham or Gits at 10 for the semi and quarter.

Larkham was always going to be an injury risk, but if he is right on the day he will be a handful - experience counts for everything in the big games.

Answer 5

I believe Connonly will have no doubt but to use Barnes until Larkham is back to full strength. I think Barnes is only a certainity because Larkham's injury is too much to be playing the position at the moment.

If the latest setback doesn't put him out then Barnes will definitely be taking the role but I think Barnes is nowhere near to the level of Larkham. I think Barnes will eventually take the position but certainly seeing him in the Super 14 he is certainly one that will have to get a bit more experience under his belt when it comes to the big games. Some of his performances against the top teams were fairly shabby and Larkham has the big game experience.

Answer 6

Barnes is not a shadow of Larkham and can never be.