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Wallaby thinks league days will help with new S14 rules
By PHIL LUTTON - Brisbane Times | Wednesday, 23 January 2008
Wallaby thinks league days will help with new S14 rules - Rugby news & coverage - Stuff.co.nz
Boom Queensland Reds fly-half Berrick Barnes says his rugby league background could give him the jumpstart on rivals when it comes adapting to the Super 14's amended rules.
Barnes has a strong pedigree in the 15-man game, being schooled at well-regarded rugby nursery Ipswich Grammar, but has a decorated CV in league which includes being signed by the Brisbane Broncos as a 19-year-old.
The Super 14 competition will operate under a series of Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) this season, designed to supercharge the speed of the game, encourage more running play and as Barnes puts it, eradicate the "boring rugby" that has seen fans deserting stadiums.
While all sides will be doing their utmost in the pre-season to devise strategies to exploit the rule changes, Barnes said the bulk of the learning would have to be done on the field and would require a constant "reinvention" of his playing repertoire.
He also said playmakers would need to keep some aces up their sleeve if they are to prove effective in the new-look competition.
"It's so hard to analyse what's going to happen. It's going to be learning on the run. I think that will be a big part of it. It will probably suit a lot of the Kiwi teams with their fast feet," the 21-year-old said.
"Everyone watches videos and tapes these days and knows pretty much inside-out what people are going to do. So if you can keep a few things up your sleeve it's always good.
"It's just going to be interesting to see how it pans out, who's going to be the good teams and who's going well."
Barnes says the kicking game will play an even more crucial role following the introduction of the ELVs. Booming kicks down the field in search of territory may be complimented by crafty short kicks, says Barnes, in a bid to catch unwary defences napping.
It's a skill Barnes has in his arsenal thanks to his league days and one sure to be utilised by Reds coach Phil Mooney, who believes many teams have lost the art of the short kick amid the technical focus of the modern game.
"The kicking game is still going to play a big part. There's going to be a lot of kicking but it's going to be more where you place it and not so much just kicking it out for field position. So I think it will be pretty tactical," Barnes said.
"The short kicking game, it's a bit of a change-up, keep defences on their toes. I has been a part of league. It's something you'll try to implement but you want to keep a few things up your sleeve."
After coming of age on the international scene with a stand-out showing in Australia's World Cup campaign, Barnes knows he will be a marked man this season.
He says he is ready for the added attention likely to be accorded by opposition defences and Mooney has faith the youngster can handle the added burden on and off the field.
"He's pretty level-headed bloke. He certainly has a greater scrutiny on him now. But he had a lot of pressure on him growing up. He was a bit of child prodigy," Mooney said of Barnes, who is also a gifted cricketer.
"He's also got pressure from within our squad from guys like Quade Cooper. He's got to keep working hard and he'll see the benefits of that."
Barnes will be rested for Saturday's opening trial against the Waratahs but is likely to see action when the Reds host the Blues at Ballymore on January 31.