Berrick Barnes says sayonara to the NSW Waratahs this weekend and the Wallabies utility says he’s leaving with no regrets.
Barnes, 27, remains hopeful, if not overly optimistic, about adding to his 51 Test caps this year before heading to Japan in October.
But the one-time Wallabies vice-captain says regardless if he features in new national coach Ewen McKenzie’s plans he’ll look back on his rugby career in Australia with fond memories.
“I got a lot of opportunities,” Barnes said on Thursday.
“Obviously I’ve had my fair share of injuries and ups and downs, but footy’s a lot like life – you have your good times and your bad times and I’ve been fortunate enough to have been through a few.
“If anything, I’ve learned a bit of resilience. Sometimes you’re the flavour of the month and sometimes you’re not. Sometimes your team’s going well and sometimes it’s not.
“I’ve been pretty fortunate playing the amount of games I have and been lucky to play at two really good clubs and lucky enough to play in a Wallabies jumper. Not just once but a fair few times, which is a big honour.”
Barnes considers the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, where he made his Test debut and scored with his very first touch of the ball against Japan, as probably the highlight of his career to date.
At 21 and stepping into the five-eighth hot seat for the injured Stephen Larkham, Barnes was the youngest member of the Wallabies’ World Cup squad.
“That was a special time to be involved in,” he said.
“I know a lot of players there who played in a few World Cups and I think even though we lost it was one of their favourite ones, just with the way it was organised and you actually had fun playing footy so it was good.
“Just any time you get to be involved in the World Cup is good, playing in those big games.
“And just to be a part of the Lions series, obviously not getting to play much of a part, but I think it’ll be something I look back on and think it’s a nice little one to have ticked off.”
Barnes plans to return to Australia before the 2015 Super Rugby season and hopes to feature in a third World Cup that year in England.
But despite being available for this year’s Rugby Championship, he’s half expecting McKenzie to overlook him in favour of other players who are staying on.
Fittingly, Barnes’ farewell game for the Waratahs comes against his old Queensland Reds outfit at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
“It’s a nice way to finish up at this time,” he said.
“Look, you never know when your last game’s going to be, period. So it’s a good one to be involved in and especially for all the boys to try and leave a bit of a mark on 2013.”
Jiggles
Roar Guru
I first logged on to the World Wide Web in early 1994. To this day, that is the stupidest thing I have ever read on the web. Congratulations.
Anthony Hird
Roar Guru
The question is, are we going to retain Horne? He hasn't signed the dotted line yet.
Roarer
Guest
Pat Mccabe is a better 12 than Horan.
Michael R
Guest
the 2 most important positions in a rugby team are the tight-head & the inside centre. IMHO. the 1st aligns your scrum & the other aligns your backline. some would say that the 2 most important are your tight-head & your reserve tight-head. and I almost agree. that is why I look forward to Ewen's tenure - maybe the best tight-head ever to play for AUS. IMHO. and Horan is best 12 that I have ever seen. IMHO. Mike Gibson is next.
RAF
Guest
I believe he was the best #12 we have had in Australia for a long time. I remember watching him play for the Reds in his final year and what struck me was his reading of the play and spatial awareness. He was at least one play ahead of his team mates all night. That said, he just didn't seem to develop as I thought he would. I truly believed at the time he would be better than Horan. I am now eagerly waiting for our next TRUE #12, the most under-rated position on the field IMO
Jiggles
Roar Guru
He only played for the Reds, so rather good actually.
soapit
Guest
ok, change ""bitterness in my post to "sardonic amusement" if you prefer. doesnt really affect the point
Rebel
Guest
How do you rate Genia's word and commitment. I suppose it depends on your allegiances.
GWS
Guest
Cool. Then Gill could be playing interstate.
Jerry
Guest
Scored a bloody good try in that test, I remember,
Ra
Guest
His most memorable moments for me was the slashing break he made for the Reds against NSW then returned the favour in the blue jersey, his wipers off the left boot and the way he fed his outsides and backed up play; classic 12 play. Hope he sticks to 12. Wayne Bennett apparently spoke highly of him too.
formeropenside
Guest
"bitterness" - more sardonic amusement actually. Its like Pocock's big letter to Force fans on why he had to leave them in the lurch in his personal search for a title...if he'd just stayed in Qld, he'd have one already.
soapit
Guest
you dont have to forget or forgive. you could try and keep your bitterness to yourself at appropriate moments though
Ra
Guest
Ditto Kane. To me Barnes was the form 12 in the world at that time. I never liked him at 10, but at 12, with room and time, he was like Dan Carter one out
Harry
Guest
Have already wished him the best but ... the defining moment of his career for me was bombing a try by hogging it in the first Bledisloe test in NZ in 2009.
jeznez
Roar Guru
That is O for OARSOME, Harry. Sounds like it might finally be our year!!! We Tahs fans have been waiting patiently and optimistically getting our hopes up nearly every year. Nice to hear Berrick has made the early call.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Barnes defection leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Two days before he announced he was moving to the Tahs, he was committing his loyalty and future to Reds team mates and the board. I accept players move around in this day and age, but I am a bit of the old school where your word and commitment is what matters. Barnes showed none of that. He took what seemed like the easier route in his career and I think it showed in the way he played the game. He was never good enough IMO and always took the easy options in tough games. Good luck in France, but I cannot say I am sad to see him go. One of the many players picked on reputation rather than form through the back end (think the last 3 years) of the Deans era.
Jonny Boy Jnr
Guest
Talent & Class... Standing deep and shuffling the ball to his centres running sideways more often than not getting caught by rush defence. Has kicked aimlessly for 4 seasons now and as courageous as he is can be brushed off in the tackle with ease at times... Justie this guy is an Elton Flatley with an inferior kicking game and slower at full pace. Average player whose only real accomplishment was as goal kicker against a disappointing Welsh touring side
GWS
Guest
They were good together
GWS
Guest
That road leads to bitterness. What do you expect every kid from qld to only play for qld? Dude you only have one team.