Berrick Barnes is confident it won’t be a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth when the Waratahs throw three playmakers at the Highlanders in Saturday’s Super Rugby clash in Dunedin.
Wallabies’ star Barnes will make his season debut after overcoming a groin injury and will line up at inside centre in place of Tom Carter, who drops to the bench despite scoring two tries in last week’s win over Melbourne.
In the only other change to the run-on team, Patrick McCutcheon starts at openside flanker in place of Chris Alcock, after recovering from a pre-season calf tear.
With the guile of Barnes favoured over the direct running of Carter, NSW coach Michael Foley has the rare luxury of three ball players in his backline.
Daniel Halangahu continues as five-eighth, goalkicker and captain and exciting youngster Bernard Foley is retained at fullback after an assured first Super Rugby starting role against the Rebels.
‘We’ve got three guys who can play 10, 12, 15 in the team, which helps the ball playing and gives us a bit of flexibility,” Barnes said.
He wasn’t worried the profusion of creative players could lead to confusion.
“You know your role. I’m not trying to be at 10, I’m trying to play at 12, and do the things that are required of me there and help Hangers (Halangahu) out where I can,” Barnes said.
“I’m not trying to boss him around or get in his way. I’m just trying to complement what he’s doing.”
Halangahu pointed out Barnes, Foley and himself had already combined successfully in a handful of club games last year for Sydney University.
“Berrick was at 15 and Bernard was at 12, but we did mix around there a bit as well,” Halangahu told AAP.
“We didn’t lose any of those games and we combined well and it’s comforting to know we’ve had that experience.
“One thing that we’ve talked about that is crucial is that we do not just juggle too much and we need to stick to our roles.
“I’ll go out there and play 10 and it’s important Berrick in his first week back just gets to concentrate on his game and doesn’t worry too much about doing anyone else’s job.
“While it would be stupid not to utilise each other’s skills at the right times it’s important that we stick to our roles and we’re accountable for doing exactly what our job is.”
In a late change announced on Wednesday, Jono Jenkins will come in for Alcock on the bench.
Alcock was replaced in Friday’s round-two match against the Rebels after taking a knock that required stitches to his left eyebrow and has not fully recovered.
With the team travelling to Dunedin on Thursday morning, Jenkins gets the chance to represent the Waratahs for the second time, after debuting in the victory over the Rebels, replacing Alcock in the 57th minute.
NSW Waratahs: Bernard Foley, Tom Kingston, Rob Horne, Berrick Barnes, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Daniel Halangahu (capt), Sarel Pretorius, Wycliff Palu, Pat McCutcheon, Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Dean Mumm, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Res: John Ulugia, Paddy Ryan, Lopeti Timani, Jono Jenkins, Brendan McKibbin, Tom Carter, Brackin Karauria-Henry.
jameswm
Guest
Gary - when Mitchell comes back, you can have AAC, MItchell and the impressive Kingston as the back 3, allowing Foley to move to 10 and be mentored and assisted by Barnes next to him. Looks a good idea mid-season.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
I would suggest that the inclusion of Barnes in the team will add heaps to the backline for the Tahs. While I have an opinion that Hangers is just a player he will undoubtedly be assisted by having Barnes alongside him and together they will have greater continuity. On the kicking situation, Barnes will only aggravate a groin injury by kicking so I would suppose the Foley has taken that into consideration when naming Hangers as the kicker. I would suggest that Foley by the end of the season will be the flyhalf for the Tahs he looks to be a player of the future to me.
levelheaded
Guest
PeterK - Barnes back from a groin injury, why would you ask him to kick and risk that? C'mon Roarers head out of the sand! Daniel has played well and what a back line!!! Incredible when opposition fans get on this stories and attempt to ruin reputations!
PeterK
Guest
What I do NOT understand is Halanghu is still the goal kicker. Halanghu's poor kicking lost the reds game. Barnes is a significantly better kicker. As to whether I would retain Carter or Halanghu both are journeymen and it depends on the game plan Foley wants to use.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
I see the choice as Carter or Hangers. And of the two I reckon TC performed better. I'd have gone for BB at 10 with Hangers on the bench. So hopefully there's a brilliant plan in place with these 2 play makers.
MikeG
Roar Rookie
Sailosi, pretty sure I read last week that Pakalani is injured. No idea for how long. Funnily enough, Carter might actually have been a good fit for this particular game. And trust me, that was hard to write!!
jameswm
Guest
Pakalani's injured
Albo
Guest
I for one will wait optimistically and see how the combination goes this weekend before acting like Michael Foley just took a dump in my morning coffee.
Sailosi
Guest
Please do not put berrick barnes and the word star in the same paragraph. Where is pakalani? -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Funk
Guest
Where is Stanley Grella today?
Hansie
Guest
In which case he wasted a second ...
johnny-boy
Guest
Why they hang on to Hangers is pure mystery. I expect the Tahs will put up a good battle in the forwards if their top forwards can stay on the paddock long enough but in the backs they look pretty uninspiring and fragile.
RedSkippy
Roar Rookie
Barnes versus Carter - how long did it take to think about that one? Is suspect it preoccupied Foley for about two seconds...
Fetus
Guest
Obviously neither of you watched the spring tour. Barnes is playing good rugby and you need to admire the blokes determination. He has done the hard yards answered critics and has developed into a world class player. He seems motivated to play for his club and country otherwise he would have taken the easy money. Carter is a mediocre super rugby player at best. Stats drew Mitchell put in the daily telegraph compared him to players who only played half a season. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Brendon
Guest
Why drop carter for Barnes????? Halangahu will lose the Tahs the game.. It looks like Foley is the same old coach picking the same old useless players -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
ManSter
Guest
For goodness sake Berrick's head is damaged most probably beyond repair. I do understand he has sponsors to feed, but come on mate you would not last five minutes against my local club team once we were made aware of the exact issue. Shoot off to happier hunting grounds while you still have a price to command although it is probably too late and I wonder if Uncle Robbie has some blame to play a straight bat too.