Only managed to see it on TV again today, it looked to me like Barba had told the staff he wasn't right, but they kept him on a bit long, when he knocks on he stares toward the bench.. Holbrook alluded to the fact I know, but clearly could do with a week off if not right
Two tries for Swift today against Toulouse
Barba has looked a bit off for a good few weeks now, his whole body language seems to suggest he's not enjoying his game as much at the minute.
Hopefully he's just been carrying a knock and it's nothing more.
I hope he does come in at centre, or to strengthen the back line as Saints put it. But it cannot be ruled out that by the time he comes he will go in as fullback. If, and I admit it is an if, Barba moves on, then he's a great option. He's full back and captain for Fiji.
His coach for the Bati at the time, Mike Potter, another full back, said thats his best position and he said he's a great captain? We will soon see were he goes when he arrives.
The swagger and smile has gone something isn't right and a injury wouldn't do that he's had his head turned. He won't be here next year so let's hope he can deliver silverware
Of course an injury can wipe a smile off a player’s face and turn everything into a grimace. Playing through an injury is frustrating on many many levels, but even just the pain management (especially for someone who makes the breaks Barba does - pain management can be near unbearable). By contrast he has a massive grin in the couple of in gym videos that’s been put out in the last few weeks.
Can we please stop just assuming the worst and using every microscopic detail to suggest “his head has been turned”? Read McManus in the League Express last week.
Back to the Topic.
Smith not in the squad which has just been announced is that significant do we think?
He's taking a special Birchall's pie order to Gary 'Wheels' Wheeler, together with the sad news that the Charcoal has shut down!
Good luck to him really nice bloke the definition of a true professional.