Berrick Barnes made his international debut aged 20 in Australia’s first pool
match of the 2007 World Cup against Japan. He scored the first try after only
three minutes on the field... and with his first touch of the ball. He scored again 5
minutes from the end of the game, which Australia won 91-3, announcing
himself as the successor to Steve Larkham at five-eighth for The Wallabies.
Berrick was also the scorer of the first try for the Robbie Deans era Wallabies
against Ireland - in Melbourne in 2008. He was largely employed as an inside
centre at test level, playing alongside Quade Cooper at Queensland, prior to his
move to the NSW Waratahs in 2010. The pair resumed their association during
the final Test of that year’s Spring Tour where they helped to orchestrate the
spectacular 59-16 demolition of the subsequent Rugby World Cup finalists,
France, in Paris.
Berrick was a star wicketkeeper-batsman in junior cricket and was also good enough to win state championship
medals in swimming. By his final year at Ipswich in 2003, Berrick had played in the school's First XI cricket team
for five years, and in the First XV rugby union team for four years.
Berrick started his professional sporting career at the Brisbane Broncos in 2004 and was selected in the same
year for a Kangaroos Invitational XIII and for the Junior Kangaroos.
However, shortly after his first run-on start with the Broncos, Berrick signed a two-year-deal with the Queensland
Reds to switch codes. Berrick played for the Reds from 2006 to 2009 making 45 appearances and scoring 105
points, including 6 tries. He also captained the Reds for the first half of the season in 2009.
In 2010 he joined the NSW Waratahs, and stayed until the end of 2013. He made 43 appearances and scored 194
points including 4 tries.
We are really excited to hear about Berrick’s incredible journey from High School prodigy to international sports
star. Make sure you get your tickets for this one.
