Wales centre Jamie Roberts will target Australia’s new midfield combination of James O’Connor and Berrick Barnes in Saturday’s Cardiff Test match.
Rugbyweek
Roberts made a name for himself during the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour and impressed during the recent Rugby World Cup.
At 110kg and 193cm Roberts has bulk and some pace which often gets Wales on the front foot.
In comparison the Wallabies duo of O’Connor at 88kg and Barnes at 87kg are almost lightweights.
Inside centre Roberts has vowed that Wales will not give Australia the same amount of space and time as the Barbarians did in their 11-60 Twickenham rout last wekend.
“We have made sure this week in defence we are ready to greet him and Berrick as well,” Roberts toldthe Sydney Morning Herald.
“Berrick had a terrific play-off game against us.”
O’Connor impressed at 10 in the absence of Quade Cooper who has not played since the third place play off between Wales and Australia and Barnes won man of the match in that 21-18 victory.
Barnes said after the Barbarians match that he lost power in his shoulder on the weekend and when asked if Roberts would be testing ut Barnes’ sore shoulder, he said: “Hopefully, we can give him a warm reception.”
“He is a physical player,” he said and compared Barnes to former Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock.
“There are guys that you tackle who are big and imposing blokes.”
“He is hard, he is bones, he is muscle and a hard man to tackle.”
“He runs extremely good lines and is a talisman for them and, when he does well, they tend to get momentum off that.
“It is up to us – whoever, they are big boys.
“They have speed, too, which is a bit daunting for someone who is only 90kgs as well.”
Even though O’Connor controlled the Wallabies backline well against the Barbarians Barnes has warned his team mate that he will be in for a stiff test in Cardiff.
“This will be a tougher environment,” Barnes said.
“He is not going to get the space. He is a guy that will challenge the line and there are not too many 10s that can do that in world rugby.
“We will be sniffing off him as well.”
Wales coach Warren Gatland wasn’t surprised t to see O’Connor being shifted from wing to No.10.
“I am happy that he is playing at No.10 than on the wing,” he said.
“I think he is an outstanding winger as well.”