Best mate or Country ? (Berrigan to miss GB test match ?)

[SGID]

Tough choice!, what do you do ?



Berrigan faces Test dilemma

By Steve Ricketts

November 14, 2006 12:00
Article from: The Daily Telegraph

AUSTRALIAN hooker Shaun Berrigan has asked to be stood down from Saturday's Tri-Nations rugby league Test against Great Britain at Suncorp Stadium to be best man at his brother Barry's wedding.

But Australian coach Ricky Stuart is set to name him in his side today with the suspension of prop Willie Mason and injuries to winger Matt King (calf) and prop Antonio Kaufusi (hamstring) reducing his options.

Berrigan started at hooker in Australia's 23-12 loss to Britain in Sydney on November 4 and it is likely Cameron Smith will reclaim the No. 9 jumper for the Brisbane Test.

But Berrigan shapes as the best man for an interchange role and Stuart is unlikely to let sentiment get in the way of his desire to win back the Tri-Nations crown from New Zealand.

If Australia beat Britain on Saturday they will play New Zealand in the final at Sydney's Aussie Stadium on Saturday week.

If the Kangaroos lose or are held to a draw they will play Britain in the final.

Ben Hornby, who played halfback in the November 4 loss, is the alternative interchange player to Berrigan who has featured in all three of Australia's matches.

Stuart has adopted a player rotation system for the tournament and Berrigan asked if he could have a break this weekend because of his brother's wedding.

Barry, 31, was forced into retirement by a neck injury in March after establishing himself as the Broncos' No. 1 hooker.

Shaun dedicated his premiership win to his brother and paid for his travel to Sydney for the grand final in which the Broncos beat Melbourne 15-8.

Berrigan's father Barry Sr attended Australian training yesterday and spoke of his son's anguish at having to choose between family and country.

"Shaun and Barry are very close and Barry obviously wants him to be best man," Barry Sr said. "But he also realises it's not every day you get to represent your country.

"When the date was set for the wedding it was safely viewed as the off-season. Shaun didn't play in last year's Tri-Nations and missed out on the Test in May so it seemed unlikely he would make the side this time."

Barry, who has a successful tiling business, will marry long-time sweetheart Vicki Hobson in a beach ceremony.

[jinkin jimmy]

*wipes away a tear*

Seriously, just go and find a few more Kiwis for your side like Mason and Hunt.

[SGID]

So we can smash you guys again and win the Tri nations ?

Sorry, when was the last time GB won it ?

[jinkin jimmy]

SGID posted:
So we can smash you guys again and win the Tri nations ?

Sorry, when was the last time GB won it ?

You certainly are.