PHIL Waugh believes Berrick Barnes will have the same influence on NSW Waratahs as Matt Giteau is expected to have on the Brumbies in the Super 14 series next year.

The Brumbies have been described as the "dream team" after Giteau's decision to leave Western Force and return home to Canberra, while Barnes will help transform the Waratahs.

The Tahs have been the leading Australian team in Super rugby for the past five years, but are yet to win the title.

The addition of Barnes will provide the Waratahs with the play-making skills required to take the team to the next level.

"It's very exciting," Waugh said "Not just as a rugby player, but as a person he would be a great guy to have in our squad.

"The people at NSW have done a lot of hard work in luring him across, and now it's our responsibility to deliver the good performance on the field.

"From a player's point of view, it's very exciting to have Berrick on board. Everyone is looking forward to working with him and hopefully performing well with him."

Waugh said the signing of Barnes had compensated the Waratahs for the loss of sacked Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri and centre Timana Tahu, who is returning to rugby league.

"After you lose those two guys it leaves a pretty big hole," Waugh said. "Certainly, younger guys in the squad were a little bit disheartened from losing those two experienced guys.

"I guess it just gives everyone a little bit of reassurance and confidence when you get someone like Berrick on the books, and there's certainly a nice vibe around NSW at the moment.

"Berrick is a very complete player. Hopefully, he'll direct the team around very well on the field and influence the guys positively off the field as well."

Waugh was unsure whether Barnes would play five-eighth or inside centre for the Waratahs.
"I guess it's just about the best balance of the team and where he would like to play and direct the team."

Barnes was also expected to replace Tuqiri as Waratahs vice-captain.

"Lote has been a huge part of that (leadership)," Waugh said.

"Berrick will slot nicely into that leadership capacity at NSW. That's certainly reassuring for the young guys around him."

Waugh said the Waratahs only found out about Barnes' signing the day before it was announced.
"He did keep his cards close to his chest. We were very hopeful," Waugh said.

Barnes said the Waratahs would support Barnes when they played the Reds in Brisbane in the opening round of next year's Super 14 series.

"It's nice to get that one out of the way straight up," Waugh said. "We'll certainly support him in that one."

Waugh and Barnes leave for Cape Town today to prepare for the Test against South Africa next Saturday.

"The last trip to Newlands was one of our better performances," Waugh said of the Wallabies' narrow loss to the Springboks in 2007.

"We didn't come away with a win, but we performed very well, particularly in the forwards."

Waugh expects a torrid time at the breakdown where Springboks flanker Heinrich Brussow dominated in South Africa's 28-19 win over New Zealand in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

"They have a lot of talent in the backrow," Waugh said. "He (Brussow) is a good balance for their backrow.

"Last week's performance against the All Blacks, and Richie McCaw in particular, was pretty impressive."

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