Barnes ruled out of Wallabies’ Bledisloe battle

WALLABIES vice-captain Berrick Barnes has been ruled out of tomorrow’s Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks after rolling his left ankle at training in Tokyo yesterday.

The 23-year-old inside centre could also be in doubt for Australia’s Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland, their first in 25 years, following the year’s fourth and final trans-Tasman Test.

His withdrawal prompted Wallabies coach Robbie Deans to change the team, bringing teenager James O’Connor from the bench to full-back and moving Adam Ashley-Cooper into Barnes’ position.