Kiwis fear the Elsom factor

All Black flank Adam Thomson says his Wallaby counterpart, Rocky Elsom, could pose a renewed threat to New Zealand in the deciding Tri-Nations match Saturday now that he is unburdened by the Wallabies captaincy.

Elsom was replaced as Australia captain last week by lock James Horwill, who will lead the Wallabies at the World Cup in New Zealand starting September 9.

"I guess when you do take away something like the captaincy, then he can just focus on his own job," Thomson said Thursday.

"He will be pretty pumped up as well and knows that he will have to put a performance in -that the captaincy won't keep him selected just outright.

"He'll be into it and it might make him more dangerous, and that's not a good thing for us."

Elsom, though, played down any benefit to his game from losing the captaincy.

"Maybe," he said when asked if it would help him rediscover his dynamic best. "You never know how things will work out. You can't predict everything."

Elsom also dismissed any notion he is now under pressure to keep the No.6 jersey he has virtually owned since the 2007 World Cup.

"Every week it's like that and when you lose sight of that, for whatever reason, it's liable to bite you," Elsom said.

"I guess if you are a player in this team, or any team, that's the way it is every time you go out on the weekend and you need to justify your existence."

Australian utility back Berrick Barnes also has a chance to impress when he lines up as flyhalf for the Barbarians against Canada on Friday.

Barnes, who has recovered from a self-imposed period on the sidelines due to persistent headaches, is looking to play himself into the vacant spot on coach Robbie Deans' bench for Saturday's Test.

"I would love an opportunity to be on the bench," he said. "But we will see how it pans out and who comes through unscathed tomorrow [Friday]."

Barnes was included in the Wallabies World Cup squad at the expense of 92-Test veteran Matt Giteau, who later withdrew from the Barbarians lineup.

"I can't say anything other than we were both working hard for a spot and the cards fell my way this time," Barnes said of the World Cup selection, adding. "I am definitely disappointed for him.

"He is a bloke who can cover a hell of a number of positions ... but it is what it is."

The All Blacks and Wallabies are level atop the Tri-Nations. New Zealand is going after its 11th title since the championship began in 1996. Australia last won it in 2001.

SAPA-AP