Mr Angry
Not a Referee
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29 January 2004
http://www.nrl.com.au/news.cfm?ArticleID=7743
Boom Broncos rookie has Lewis-like skills
If his high school tutor is any judge, Brisbane Broncos rookie Berrick Barnes may have to contend with being compared to Wally Lewis.
That'd be a lot of expectation for anyone to deal with and not something coach Wayne Bennett would welcome for a 17-year-old who is yet to play a game for the club.
But there hasn't been a boom on a young player arriving at Broncos for a long time like there is on Barnes who has made Bennett's 26-man NRL squad.
A talented cricket wicketkeeper and rugby union player, Barnes turned down determined approaches from both the Queensland Bulls and Queensland Reds to pursue rugby league as his sporting career.
There's no shortage of similarities between Barnes - at one time in both the Queensland Academy of Sports union and league talent squads - and a young Lewis, also a multi-talented schoolboy sportsman.
Lewis played Australian schoolboys rugby and was a member of Brisbane State High's first XI cricket side before choosing rugby league as his career. While Barnes hasn't stepped out in the NRL yet, some experienced judges are already tipping the 86kg five eighth or halfback to play for Australia and describe him as a "special kid".
"It's already been stated it's not a matter of when he'll play for Australia, but in what sport," said Ipswich Grammar's director of sport Nigel Grieve.
"The Bulls wanted to get him into their program and chased his signature as did league and union.
"The Reds chased his signature for a long time.
"But he's always been passionate about rugby league."
Barnes, originally from Kingaroy, made four or five state teams in primary school before going to Ipswich Grammar which has produced many sporting champions including tennis great Roy Emerson, cricketer Craig McDermott, Wallaby David Wilson, current Test cricketer Shane Watson and rugby league Test players Kevin and Steve Walters.
"The last guy to have done what Berrick did in primary school sport was Ian Healy," said Grieve.
"Berrick is naturally gifted and also has one of the best sports brains I've ever come across.
"He's has the ability to weigh up situations and act on them quickly.
"He's confident without being arrogant or cocky."
Grieve said like most great sportsmen, Barnes had the gift of "time" to create things. "He's like a Mark Waugh in cricket, he makes it look easy," he said. Lewis always had a lot of time to do what he wanted on the football field.
"I think you'll find Berrick is the same (as Lewis)," said Grieve, adding he had not set eyes on a better all-round athlete in his 15 years at the school.
Bennett is on record as rating Barnes one of the best young talents to come to the Broncos with the ability to be playing first grade before the end of the season.
He is one of four teenagers recruited straight out of school by the club which has replenished it stocks following the retirement of several players in the past few seasons.
The other Bronco colts are Kiwi-born Karmichael Hunt and Joe Clarke and former schoolboy giant Tom Learoyd, who weighs in at a mere 116kg.
__________________
Anyone seen these kids live?
That is a big wrap.
http://www.nrl.com.au/news.cfm?ArticleID=7743
Boom Broncos rookie has Lewis-like skills
If his high school tutor is any judge, Brisbane Broncos rookie Berrick Barnes may have to contend with being compared to Wally Lewis.
That'd be a lot of expectation for anyone to deal with and not something coach Wayne Bennett would welcome for a 17-year-old who is yet to play a game for the club.
But there hasn't been a boom on a young player arriving at Broncos for a long time like there is on Barnes who has made Bennett's 26-man NRL squad.
A talented cricket wicketkeeper and rugby union player, Barnes turned down determined approaches from both the Queensland Bulls and Queensland Reds to pursue rugby league as his sporting career.
There's no shortage of similarities between Barnes - at one time in both the Queensland Academy of Sports union and league talent squads - and a young Lewis, also a multi-talented schoolboy sportsman.
Lewis played Australian schoolboys rugby and was a member of Brisbane State High's first XI cricket side before choosing rugby league as his career. While Barnes hasn't stepped out in the NRL yet, some experienced judges are already tipping the 86kg five eighth or halfback to play for Australia and describe him as a "special kid".
"It's already been stated it's not a matter of when he'll play for Australia, but in what sport," said Ipswich Grammar's director of sport Nigel Grieve.
"The Bulls wanted to get him into their program and chased his signature as did league and union.
"The Reds chased his signature for a long time.
"But he's always been passionate about rugby league."
Barnes, originally from Kingaroy, made four or five state teams in primary school before going to Ipswich Grammar which has produced many sporting champions including tennis great Roy Emerson, cricketer Craig McDermott, Wallaby David Wilson, current Test cricketer Shane Watson and rugby league Test players Kevin and Steve Walters.
"The last guy to have done what Berrick did in primary school sport was Ian Healy," said Grieve.
"Berrick is naturally gifted and also has one of the best sports brains I've ever come across.
"He's has the ability to weigh up situations and act on them quickly.
"He's confident without being arrogant or cocky."
Grieve said like most great sportsmen, Barnes had the gift of "time" to create things. "He's like a Mark Waugh in cricket, he makes it look easy," he said. Lewis always had a lot of time to do what he wanted on the football field.
"I think you'll find Berrick is the same (as Lewis)," said Grieve, adding he had not set eyes on a better all-round athlete in his 15 years at the school.
Bennett is on record as rating Barnes one of the best young talents to come to the Broncos with the ability to be playing first grade before the end of the season.
He is one of four teenagers recruited straight out of school by the club which has replenished it stocks following the retirement of several players in the past few seasons.
The other Bronco colts are Kiwi-born Karmichael Hunt and Joe Clarke and former schoolboy giant Tom Learoyd, who weighs in at a mere 116kg.
__________________
Anyone seen these kids live?
That is a big wrap.
