Publications
Partners
Sydney - Wallabies flyhalf Berrick Barnes has signed a one-year contract extension with New South Wales and will play for the Waratahs next year in the first season of rugby's expanded Super 15 competition.
Barnes had signed with the Australian Rugby Union through the 2011 World Cup and with the Waratahs until the end of the 2010 season, with an option for a further year. The former Reds playmaker took the option Monday for 2011.
"You weigh up everything that's put in front of you and in the end I know it's definitely the right decision to stay at the 'Tahs," Barnes said. "I'm glad I've now made the call and I don't have to worry about it anymore."
Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said Barnes' had made an impact on the team.
"Everyone knows what a quality person Berrick is both on and off the field so it's obvious we're really happy to have him on board again in 2011," Hickey said. "As soon as Berrick joined us, he slotted into the culture seamlessly and spent a lot of time in the pre-season working with the younger inside backs to help them with their development.
"It's great that he has his future sorted now and can just concentrate on his rugby."
Barnes had been targeted as a key recruit by the Melbourne Rebels, which will join the existing Super rugby teams in a reformatted Super 15 in 2011.
Negotiations between Barnes and the Rebels reportedly broke down because the Australian international's management only wanted to sign a one-year deal with the new club.
