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Reds flyhalf refuses to bite on the battle for No 10
By Jim Tucker
February 04, 2008 11:00pm
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...003411,00.html
AS a World Cup teammate, Queensland hope Berrick Barnes identified all the ingredients for longevity as a Test back in Matt Giteau, his now rival for the Wallaby No. 10 jersey.
Their opening duel in Perth on Thursday night has elevated the Reds-Western Force Super 14 trial into something far more.
It is a scene-setter for an absorbing 3½months of comparisons to determine who guides the Wallabies from flyhalf in the era beyond Japan-bound great Steve Larkham.
The savvy Barnes took a strong first step yesterday when he diffused every media attempt to turn the trial into a "me v him" joust that might set off needless spot fires all season.
"It's not about me or 'Gits'. You win as a team and this trial is all about the Reds taking another step forward to be ready for Super 14," Barnes said yesterday with a maturity beyond his 21 years.
"Fair dinkum . . . honest . . . I'm just not thinking about who might play for the Wallabies.
"Those things are too far down the track. It boils down to whose team plays well, who stays injury free and, for a flyhalf, how the forwards go in front of you."
Giteau was at inside centre when Barnes played the four Tests of his World Cup initiation and it gave the Queenslander an educational insight into the six-season Wallaby's class.
"Gits is one of the best in the world. Apart from his skills he is the ultimate competitor who always competes until the 80th minute," Barnes said.
"He's a cool customer and his on-field communication is very good . . . two areas that I've worked on improving."
Yesterday's Super 14 season launch creed – "Relight Reignite Rugby" – applies in a double dose to the Reds who must arrest the terminal decline of five losing seasons.
Now skipper and No. 8 John Roe and winger Clinton Schifcofske are to play their first trial minutes against the Force, only winger Digby Ioane (knee) is missing from Queensland's top-choice team.
As a list of names it looks competitive but it is not yet a team with any winning experiences to draw on. That's why victory in Perth would be a vital leg-up into the season proper.