Barnes gets playmaking job in Waratahs debut

Glamour recruit Berrick Barnes has been handed the playmaking role for his NSW Waratahs debut in the pre-season rugby clash with Fiji Warriors on Saturday.

Coach Chris Hickey gave Test centre Barnes an immediate chance to press his claim to the key five eighth role for his new Super 14 team – and potentially for the Wallabies – as he named a near full-strength team for the match at Wade Park in Orange.

In another significant selection, New Zealand signing Soseni Anesi retains the fullback spot ahead of Wallaby Drew Mitchell who makes his first start for NSW on the wing.

The Waratahs team for their penultimate trial match contains 12 players with Test experience, with prop Benn Robinson the only international rested.

Barnes’ selection at five eighth sees Daniel Halangahu relegated to an extended bench while fellow playmaking option Kurtley Beale plays at inside centre.

Facing an uphill struggle to win back the Wallaby halfback jersey from Queenslander Will Genia, Luke Burgess will start the match after Josh Holmes and Brendan McKibbin shared the No.9 duties last week in Lismore.

The forward pack has an all-international front row of Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Al Baxter, and a Test back row of Dean Mumm, Phil Waugh and Wycliff Palu.

Promising youngster Kane Douglas again starts at lock and is joined by former Leinster forward Cam Jowitt who makes his NSW debut.

Hickey named a 14-man bench and said he would continue to experiment against Fiji and in the final trial against the Brumbies.

“There’s definitely a lot of questions still to be answered in Orange and Canberra in regards to selection for the opening round of the competition,” said Hickey.

“After this match nearly every player will have started one of the first two trials and that will give us a good indication going into our final pre-season match against the Brumbies.”

NSW Waratahs to play Fiji: Sosene Anesi, Lachie Turner, Tom Carter, Kurtley Beale, Drew Mitchell, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh (capt), Dean Mumm, Cam Jowitt, Kane Douglas, Al Baxter, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sekope Kepu. Res: Damien Fitzpatrick, Dan Palmer, Hendrik Roodt, Dave Dennis, Brendan KcKibbin, Daniel Halangahu, Alex Rokobaro, Jeremy Tilse, Locky McCaffrey, Chris Alcock, Josh Holmes, Nemani Nadolo, Rory Sidey, Peter Betham.