Barnes may return to Australia

Departing Wallabies veteran Berrick Barnes has left the door ajar for a possible return to Australia in time for the 2015 World Cup.

The popular 27-year-old will link with Japanese club Panasonic Wild Knights for the next two seasons when his Australian Rugby Union contract expires at the end of October.

“It’ll be half this season and a full season (next year) so it still obviously leaves me eligible to come back at the beginning of Super Rugby in 2015,” Barnes said of his Japanese deal on Thursday.

“That’s the major reason I looked to going to Japan as an option rather than Europe, but whether that comes to fruition though is a big if and a long time down the track.”

Barnes started at full-back in the first Test against the British and Irish Lions but suffered a head-knock late in the first half and played no further part in the series.

He remains available for the Wallabies for the upcoming Rugby Championship but is resigned to the fact he may have played his last game in the Wallabies gold.

“I’m still available to play in the Rugby Championship but obviously with a new coach coming in, Ewen will want to do what he wants to do,” he said.

“And if I’m still part of that plan great, but if not I don’t really know what I’m doing, I suppose you’re a bit in limbo really.

“If I’m asked to play of course I’d be excited, I’d love to be a part of it but I just think it all depends what his plans are in general.”

Barnes asked the ARU for an early release from his contract earlier this year but his request was denied.

“I tried to look at that and the ARU pretty vehemently said no,” he said.

“And obviously they don’t want to set a precedent with a number of blokes in a similar position.

“I won’t lie, we’re all in awkward sort of spots but it depends, my release date is in late October and as far as I know I’m involved here until then.”

After his well-documented battle with footballers’ migraine in 2011, Barnes says he sat out the final two Lions Tests as a precaution but is confident he is ready to make his return in his final outing for the Waratahs against his old club the Reds.

“It’s a nice way to finish up at this time, look you never know when your last games going to be, period,” he said.

“It’s a good one to be involved in and especially for all the boys to try and leave a bit of a mark on 2013.”

Asked how he will remember his time in Australian rugby, Barnes, a veteran of 51 Tests, replied: “Fondly, I got a lot of opportunities. Obviously I’ve had my fair share of injuries and ups and downs but footy’s a lot like life, you have your good times and your bad times and I’ve been fortunate enough to have been through a few.”

Article source: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/413812/Returning-skipper-savours-success

Barnes may return to Australia