Barnes on Tahs' radar
New Tahs coach Daryl Gibson revealed that they are scouting Japan for a back-up to current Wallaby flyhalf Bernard Foley – who himself is currently playing in Japan – with the Black Rams as part of his flexible contract with the ARU.
Gibson told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday that he expected to announce the new signing next week.
"We're currently without a real playmaker [in the No.10 channel] and so we're filling in at the moment," Gibson said.
"Once Bernard comes back we'll be a far more complete side.
"Given the make-up of our squad we're really quite short of an understudy to Bernard Foley and we're looking at a number of options.
"Hopefully that will be named in the next week
.
"Internationally, we really want someone who's just a solid, good all-rounder."
Barnes, who left the Waratahs in 2013, has always left open the possibility of returning to Super Rugby, and at just 29, the Wallaby playmaker, who has 51 caps to his name, would be an outstanding addition to Gibson's squad.
Meanwhile, fullback Israel Folau will return to running duties next week after off-season surgery on his ankle.
The Waratahs also revealed they will face the Brumbies, Chiefs and Highlanders in three away trial games ahead of the 2016 Super Rugby season.
Following the first trial game, hosted by the Brumbies in Wagga Wagga on Saturday, February 6, the Waratahs will travel to New Zealand to take on two Super Rugby heavyweights – the Chiefs and the Highlanders.
The match against the Chiefs will take place on Friday, February 12 in Rotorua, New Zealand.
The team will then head to Queenstown for a 2015 semifinal re-match against the Highlanders on the following Friday, February 19.
The Waratahs are returning the favour after hosting home trials against the Chiefs in 2015 and the Highlanders in 2014.
This year's trial matches will be the first for Gibson as the Waratahs coach, and he is looking forward to seeing how the team perform against some of Super Rugby's toughest opponents.
"Going up against three of the top six 2015 Super Rugby sides, it will be a good chance for us to test ourselves as a team with some competitive matches ahead of the 2016 season," Gibson said.
"The players have already forged some strong bonds across pre-season so it will be good to see how they come together in a game situation.
"It'll be great for some of the new guys too. There's a few new faces who I know will be vying for a spot in the team this year so I'm be keen to see who steps up.
"Most of the squad has come through the NSW pathways, which is a testament to guys like [NSW Under-20 coach and Elite Pathways Coordinator] Tim Rapp, who work with the Waratahs coaching team to ensure an ongoing feed into the elite levels of NSW rugby."
The three trial matches will take place in the lead up to the NSW Waratahs' Round One clash against the Reds on Saturday, February 27.
