Robbie Deans might give Berrick Barnes second chance at 2011 Rugby World Cup squad
Wallabies’ international fly half Berrick Barnes has expressed his hopes to remain in contention for a spot in Robbie Deans' final 30-man squad for their 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) campaign. Wallabies head coach, Robbie Deans, has hinted that provided Barnes
proves his fitness, he can be included in the Wallabies RWC training squad.
Deans made the comments following the news that Barnes will play a club match for Sydney University during the upcoming weekend. The weekend game will be Barnes first game in the past six weeks.
Earlier, the 25-year-old fly half sustained a serious head injury during the New South Wales Waratahs 2011 Super Rugby encounter against New Zealand Super Rugby franchise Highlanders, on June 11.
Barnes is currently going through rehabilitation following a series of head concussions that forced him to leave the field in the first-half of Waratahs June 11th encounter against the Highlanders. He has been left out of Robbie Deans 40-man
training squad for their 2011 RWC campaign.
Deans further added, "Berrick is off the template, so to speak, he is not being considered and won't be considered until he convinces himself that he not only wants to play again, but is able to play again, and also play with confidence.”
The inclusion of Barnes adds to the depth of the Wallabies squad, particularly at the fly half position. He has made 31 international appearances for the Wallabies since his debut in 2007. He has also played four matches in the 2007 RWC where he started
the match three out of four times and scored 16 points in the tournament.
Deans added that the initial medical assessment reports following his concussions suggested that his season was over. However, he has expressed his best wishes for Barnes for the weekend comeback.
Deans further added, “We've essentially deemed his season to be over, until such time as it is otherwise. That's the nature of the injury, and that's essentially what he asked of us - If that changes, we will reconvene.”
Additionally, the surgery on the Waratahs prop Benn Robinson has been delayed. Robinson injured his knee during training last week. According to initial reports, he has been put on hold to observer and monitor the recovery.
In case of surgery, Robinson will certainly miss the trip to RWC in New Zealand, as the operation will require at least two months for rehabilitation.
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