It is expected that Berrick Barnes will start against the All Blacks this Saturday for the first Rugby Championship match.

While Barnes was probably the number four flyhalf behind James O’Connor, Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale midway during the season, he reestablished himself against Wales, especially in the Melbourne Test with a match-winning performance on the same day his first child was born.

With Quade Cooper still short of game time, the selectors are scheduled to show their faith in Barnes by starting him against Dan Carter.

Yesterday Wallabies halfback Will Genia has said Quade Cooper is fit and ready to go, but believes Berrick Barnes has earned the right to retain the flyhalf duties for Saturday’s Test.

Cooper missed Australia’s past five Tests since requiring surgery for a knee injury he suffered in the bronze medal match at last year’s Rugby World Cup.

The Wallabies will host the All Blacks at 10:05pm this Saturday while South Africa will play Argentina at 3am Sunday.


Story by: Akuila Cama