http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15114571-23214,00.html
BRISBANE's latest "whiz kid" Berrick Barnes is set to give a glimpse of his potential after being drafted into the Broncos squad to tackle NRL pacesetters Manly at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow night.
Coach Wayne Bennett, who fast-tracked schoolboy winger Leon Bott's debut at the start of the season, today added the highly regarded Barnes to his 17-man squad after losing Test forward Tonie Carroll (rib) and hooker Barry Berrigan (shoulder).
Veteran 36 year-old Darren Smith, the NRL's version of the energiser Bunny, finds himself back in first grade, this time at lock with Casey McGuire taking over Berrigan's hooking duties.
Bennett's opinion of Barnes a star schoolboy cricket and rugby player at Ipswich Grammar was high enough to included him in Brisbane's 25-man NRL squad for the past two years.
He's resisted the temptation to blood Barnes previously, but feels the time is right to give the 18 year-old a taste of the big time.
Barnes is likely to play some dummy half with Neville Costigan.
He spent some time after training today sending his bullet-like passes to halfback Brett Seymour.
Bennett did not want to put any pressure on Barnes, who impressed observers in Papua New Guinea late last year when he played for Australia in an international against PNG.
Pushed on what he expected from his talented teenager he said: "It's a process. Berrick's not going to be an overnight success".
"It's going to take time but he's certainly got the right attitude."
Retired Test prop Shane Webcke adopted a Bennett-like response to what he expected from Barnes before giving the youngster a rap.
"He'll probably, run and pass and tackle," joked Webcke before giving a more serious reply.
"He's got a lovely pass, a good kicking game and he's like a lot of young kids in the game today, he's very confident.
"He's had a few false starts this year and it's nice to see him get his chance."
Manly aren't a star-studded team but Webcke said they were on top of the ladder because they were playing well and playing for each other.
But Webcke warned his teammates about their slack starts in recent weeks, after twice reeling in 12 point deficits to beat the Dragons and Sharks, and believes they can ill-afford the same against the table topping Sea Eagles.
"If we keep letting good teams get away with 12 points (start) it will soon turn into 30," he said.
He said veteran Terry Hill, who has beaten a hamstring injury, always pulled out a big game against Brisbane.
"He's a character and he's nice and tough and he's also a great competitor," said Webcke.
Among all the great talent the Broncos have unleashed over the years, every few years they get one they think is special, even in this company. Julian O'Neill was one, Darren Lockyer another. Danny Bampton's prospects were cruelled by injury, which has also held back Brett Seymour's progress. Berrick Barnes is the latest whiz-kid. Can't wait to see him go round.
BRISBANE's latest "whiz kid" Berrick Barnes is set to give a glimpse of his potential after being drafted into the Broncos squad to tackle NRL pacesetters Manly at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow night.
Coach Wayne Bennett, who fast-tracked schoolboy winger Leon Bott's debut at the start of the season, today added the highly regarded Barnes to his 17-man squad after losing Test forward Tonie Carroll (rib) and hooker Barry Berrigan (shoulder).
Veteran 36 year-old Darren Smith, the NRL's version of the energiser Bunny, finds himself back in first grade, this time at lock with Casey McGuire taking over Berrigan's hooking duties.
Bennett's opinion of Barnes a star schoolboy cricket and rugby player at Ipswich Grammar was high enough to included him in Brisbane's 25-man NRL squad for the past two years.
He's resisted the temptation to blood Barnes previously, but feels the time is right to give the 18 year-old a taste of the big time.
Barnes is likely to play some dummy half with Neville Costigan.
He spent some time after training today sending his bullet-like passes to halfback Brett Seymour.
Bennett did not want to put any pressure on Barnes, who impressed observers in Papua New Guinea late last year when he played for Australia in an international against PNG.
Pushed on what he expected from his talented teenager he said: "It's a process. Berrick's not going to be an overnight success".
"It's going to take time but he's certainly got the right attitude."
Retired Test prop Shane Webcke adopted a Bennett-like response to what he expected from Barnes before giving the youngster a rap.
"He'll probably, run and pass and tackle," joked Webcke before giving a more serious reply.
"He's got a lovely pass, a good kicking game and he's like a lot of young kids in the game today, he's very confident.
"He's had a few false starts this year and it's nice to see him get his chance."
Manly aren't a star-studded team but Webcke said they were on top of the ladder because they were playing well and playing for each other.
But Webcke warned his teammates about their slack starts in recent weeks, after twice reeling in 12 point deficits to beat the Dragons and Sharks, and believes they can ill-afford the same against the table topping Sea Eagles.
"If we keep letting good teams get away with 12 points (start) it will soon turn into 30," he said.
He said veteran Terry Hill, who has beaten a hamstring injury, always pulled out a big game against Brisbane.
"He's a character and he's nice and tough and he's also a great competitor," said Webcke.
Among all the great talent the Broncos have unleashed over the years, every few years they get one they think is special, even in this company. Julian O'Neill was one, Darren Lockyer another. Danny Bampton's prospects were cruelled by injury, which has also held back Brett Seymour's progress. Berrick Barnes is the latest whiz-kid. Can't wait to see him go round.
