Bryan Fletcher weighs in on Barry Hall vs Paul Gallen Code War

The war of the codes is on our doorstep — and if you believe the words of this cocky former NRL great, Barry Hall is mince meat.

Australia’s anticipated duel of the codes this Friday will see AFL legend Barry Hall take on veteran rugby league star Paul Gallen — and if you’re watching the odds closely, it’s shaping up to be an NRL victory in Melbourne.

The pair met head-on this week in the build-up to the Margaret Court Arena showdown, with Gallen throwing some serious barbs at the retired AFL star.

“Friday night he won’t be able to stop me,” Gallen said. “He knows his punches won’t hurt me, deep down he knows it.”

Gallen showed off his power earlier in the week in a media stunt gone awry, flooring Nova producer Matt de Groot in a surprise training bout.

The stocky league forward faces a 14cm height deficit against the 194cm Hall, but fellow NSW Origin alumni Bryan Fletcher says that’s the only factor worth worrying about for the 38-year-old.

“Gal’s been playing professional sport for the past five years (compared to Hall), he’s fit,” Fletcher said on Wednesday. “I know Barry looks good after coming back and training very well … but Gal can cop a punch. I think he has an edge just on experience, age and fitness.”

Gallen has been the most vocal in the lead up, taunting Hall and particularly taking issue with the stipulation they fight rounds of two — not three — minutes.

“I will turn it back on him in saying all these excuses he’s been coming up with, there’s a little seed of doubt there in his mind that if he loses to someone 42 years of age, in their pro debut, where does that leave him?” Hall said.

“I think he’s looking for excuses now, in case he does lose. “I’ve got no doubt that he thinks he can win the fight but I think he’s just looking for a few excuses now, that if he does, he can fall back on them. “And from my point of view, mentally, that’s a weakness.”

It won’t be all smiles on Friday.

Hall took issue when Gallen interrupted while he was speaking to chide him for not doing more to spruik the fight.

“Shut up, mate. I’m sick of hearing the bulls***,” Hall said.

Gallen, who is the betting favourite, insisted he wasn’t feeling the pressure and mocked Hall for sparring with cruiserweights, saying he wouldn’t be able to handle the power of heavyweight boxing.

Hall responded with a decent jab of his own about the former Cronulla captain’s 180cm stature.

“We had to get cruiserweights because there was no one that short,” said Hall.

Hall is in his first professional fight after previously boxing at an amateur level as a teenager but he was happy with his seven-week training program. “You never lose your technique and that’s something that’s come back pretty quickly,” he said.

WAUGH WEIGHS IN ON AUSSIE BATSMEN

Mark Waugh says it’s time to shape up or ship out for Australia’s batsmen as the upcoming Test series against Pakistan looms.

The home side still needs to confirm an opener and a fresh number six for the summer ahead — but a failed first innings against Pakistan from the Australia A unit has left a lot wanting.

Former Aussie batsman and selector Mark Waugh wasn’t impressed with the early showing, which saw them rolled for 122 in Perth. None of the top six were able to pass 50 with former Aussie opener Cameron Bancroft falling just short on 49.

“The Australia A batsmen who are looking to get in on the first Test, none of them have made runs,” Waugh said. “Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Marcus Harris, Will Pucovski and Travis Head.”

Marcus Harris might be back in the hot seat.

Waugh took a guess at Harris returning as David Warner’s opening partner for the series opener at the Gabba.

“I think Harris might get it, given his form last year, but the number six position could be filled by up to six players,” he said. “Shaun Marsh is one player who has been in good touch, but do they bring him back?”

All batting worries aside, Waugh still has Australia on lock for the series, claiming the home side will take down Pakistan in four days at the Gabba.

“Pakistan have some good individual players, some decent quicks,” he said. “But I just think their fielding and their tactics aren’t good enough. Australia just looks too strong this series,” he said.

The first Test kicks off on November 21st in Brisbane.