Barnes delivered by two secret agents
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday August 3, 2009
IT WAS an indication of the strong character of the man that there were no leaks, whispers or dummy passes before Berrick Barnes announced he was leaving Queensland for the Waratahs.Often such cases turn into a media circus, with denials, counter-denials and apologies polluting the print world and airwaves before the inevitable confirmation.Instead this was all cut and dried. Even minutes before the official announcement last Wednesday, Wallabies and future NSW teammates had no idea Barnes was a Waratah. Test players were asking media types at the Wallabies team hotel on Wednesday: "What's going on?" When told, they indicated complete surprise.It appears that some high-ranking Waratahs officials were in the same boat, unaware until a few hours before it was public that Barnes was on their playing roster.Monday Maul understands that, on Tuesday night, the only Waratahs officials who knew Barnes had signed were NSWRU high performance manager Scott Bowen and the team's assistant coach, Michael Foley. Soon, Waratahs captain Phil Waugh was in the loop and delighted that Barnes was a teammate.Bowen and Foley were crucial to Barnes making the monumental decision to move south. Bowen deserves great credit in snaring the Waratahs' biggest signing in years, while Foley's influence as a former Queensland player, who got to know Barnes during his time as Wallabies assistant coach, cannot be underestimated.Barnes, who was strongly encouraged by his family to make the move, made special note of Bowen and Foley's role when he fronted the media.Barnes was worried about the reaction up north, and displayed his intelligence by opting against returning several grenades thrown from Brisbane, which insinuated Reds teammates felt betrayed and upset by his departure.That was a poor act by Queensland officials, and thankfully Barnes did not lower himself to the same level, instead explaining he had no interest in getting into a slanging match.The fact no third-party deals were involved in the move reflected the dreadful condition of Queensland rugby, especially in the off-field managerial area.This was no secret. The Reds had failed to keep key players and got rid of top members of team management after another poor season. In the aftermath of Barnes's departure, QRU chief executive officer Ken Freer and chairman Peter Lewis also announced they were leaving. Freer was apparently departing anyway, while Lewis told Brisbane media he did not want business events and his resignation from a property group affecting a major QRU project he had been driving.The clogged exit door begged the question as to whether Queensland rugby could survive?Of course it will. Over the decades, the QRU has gone through numerous dramas and always rallied. With a new guard taking over, already Digby Ioane has re-signed until 2011, while captain James Horwill has angrily rejected rumours he is leaving.The Reds will struggle next season but are far from dead.They aren't entirely safe either. There remains a faction in the Queensland old guard who appear to be revelling in all this chaos and working behind the scenes to find an opening to seize control within a year or so. Their success could be the real danger to the future of Reds rugby.Barnes, like many others, will watch what unfolds with interest from the safe confines of Sydney.
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald
