Reds 'close' to re-signing Barnes

Jim Morton

July 24, 2009 - 5:59PM
Super 14 battlers Queensland are confident they finally have their man with Wallabies back Berrick Barnes indicating he'll re-sign with the Reds.

In a major boost to the Queenslanders, Barnes is expected to stay at Ballymore through to the 2011 World Cup where he is set to play a major backline role.
New Reds rugby manager Daniel Herbert told AAP the 23-year-old centre wanted to continue his four-season Super rugby career with Queensland.

Herbert said new two-year deals for vice-captain Barnes and his Reds centre partner Digby Ioane required just minor details to be finalised at the Australian Rugby Union's end before they could be signed.

The news comes as the NSW Waratahs have joined the Western Force in showing growing interest in Queensland's star duo after losing Timana Tahu and Lote Tuqiri for next season.

Herbert met with Barnes and his manager Peter Rogers early this week and was able to overcome at least one request which had become an obstruction in his contract.

"Both have indicated a strong desire to stay here and play for Queensland.
"We've basically met all their requests now and there's just minor technical issues that are being sorted out.

"At this stage it's something we can't hurry up."

Former Wallabies and Reds centre Herbert, appointed this month as a replacement to Ben Whitaker who quit last month, was not surprised the Waratahs were doing their best to lure the pair south.

"They'd be silly not to target them as Berrick and Digby are quality players, if I was in their shoes I'd do the same thing," he said.

"They want to stay in Queensland and they're happy with what we've done for them."

Inside centre Barnes is currently nursing a hip complaint and won't play Brisbane club rugby on the weekend but has been cleared to travel to South Africa for the August 8 Tri-Nations Test against the Springboks.

Ioane's 2009 came to a premature end after a scintillating Super 14 with a shoulder operation ruling him out of the Wallabies Test campaign.

http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/bre...0724-dw16.html