- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Queensland’s brains trust will ease the burden on Berrick Barnes as the Reds look to their playmaker to help turn them into a competitive Super 14 outfit, says new coach Phil Mooney.
Barnes will be the key figure in trying to reverse the fortunes of the 2007 wooden spooners, starting against the Highlanders in their season-opener at Suncorp Stadium tonight.
Mooney said the experienced Wallabies trio of fullback Chris Latham, centre Morgan Turinui and halfback Sam Cordingley will take some pressure off Barnes, who will be looking to continue the promising form he showed in last year’s World Cup.
“The pleasing thing from a Queensland point of view is that he’s got Sam Cordingley inside of him, Morgan Turinui outside of him and Chris Latham behind him,” Mooney told AAP yesterday.
“He didn’t have that last year. I think that was probably one of the reasons that he did do well at the World Cup.
“He had senior players around him that could ease the burden.
“All we’re looking for is good control and the guys inside and outside will assist in that decision-making.”
Cordingley said he couldn’t wait to renew his partnership with Barnes that was broken in round nine, 2006 when he suffered a long-term foot injury.
The scheming No.9 has seen Barnes develop to the point where he can make astute decisions on the field without being flustered.
“Berrick looks composed on the field now and if he makes a mistake he’s still composed,” said Cordingley, who played World Cup matches against Fiji and Canada.
“I’m looking to him for that composure and I’m sure he’s looking to me.
“He’s making some very good decisions on the field. He just has to focus on what he does well and that’s play football.
“I don’t think there’s any added pressure based on the fact he performed well at the World Cup.”
Captain John Roe said the Reds, who will field a full-strength side for the first time in five years, would “rip in” tonight against a Highlanders outfit devoid of any All Blacks.
“It’s a very important game for us, there’s no other way of saying it,” Roe stressed.
“Super 14 is such a sprint that you simply can’t afford a slow start.
“We’ve got to rip in really.”
The Reds will also be aiming to erase the memories of their last Super 14 clash – a humiliating 92-3 thrashing to the Bulls in Pretoria.
“It’s something we spoke about in the pre-season, putting that behind us, but it’s obviously there as motivation and we’ll never forget about it,” said Cordingley, who didn’t play in the Reds’ record loss.
“This is a new season and the 2008 Queensland Reds are looking forward to kicking it off with a win (tonight).”
Queensland: Chris Latham, Digby Ioane, Morgan Turinui, Chris Siale, Clinton Schifcofske, Berrick Barnes, Sam Cordingley, John Roe (capt), David Croft, Hugh McMeniman, James Horwill, Van Humphries, Rodney Blake, Stephen Moore, Greg Holmes. Res: Sean Hardman, Dayna Edwards, Ed O’Donoghue, Leroy Houston, Will Genia, Andrew Walker, Peter Hynes.
Highlanders: Paul Williams, Lucky Mulipola, Niva Ta’auso, Johnny Leota, Fetu’u Vainikolo, Daniel Bowden, Jimmy Cowan, Steven Setephano, Alando Soakai, Hayden Triggs, Tom Donnelly, Isaac Ross, Clint Newland, Jason Macdonald (capt), Jamie Mackintosh. Res: David Hall, Chris King, Adam Thomson, Tim Boys, Toby Morland, Mike Delany, Brett Mather.
==
If you haven’t already, don’t forget to join The Roar’s tipping competition.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.