Chris Latham urges Queensland to lock away Reds star Berrick Barnes

By Jim Tucker
April 30, 2009 Australia great Chris Latham is adamant Queensland rugby should do everything possible to lock Berrick Barnes in to a long-term deal to secure the health of the Reds.
Latham advocated a three-year contract to keep the matchwinning Barnes at the Reds and away from clubs overseas or any temptation to return to rugby league.
"Stability across the board is vital for the Reds and keeping Berrick long term is a key part of that," said Latham, who finished his spectacular 119-game Reds career last year.
"There hasn't been that much-needed stability at the Reds for a long time. A fantastic decision was made to sign Phil Mooney as coach for three years. Signing Berrick for another three would be ideal."
Barnes's manager Pete Rogers said that negotiations had recently started with the Australian Rugby Union to work out a deal when Super 14 finishes next month.
Rogers said there had been no NRL courting from St George Illawarra coach Wayne Bennett, who famously said that rugby was just a passing flirtation for Barnes.
"He went to rugby to get it out of his system. He'll be back," Bennett said after Barnes showed his promise in nine NRL games under Bennett at the Brisbane Broncos in 2005.
"There has not been a sniff from Wayne Bennett or anyone else in the NRL," Rogers said.

"Berrick is keen to stay in Australian rugby and at the Reds until after the 2011 World Cup. The last World Cup in France and his other tours have opened Berrick's eyes to a world of opportunities. You'd never say never about league but we'll see where he gets to in 2011 before those decisions come up."

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Does Queensland have the dollars available to lock away a player of his standing on a three year deal though?

What does it cost them though? It is not like they pay it all up front, and if they aren't paying him they will be paying someone else. It is more a question of:

• do they think he will be fit for the next three years (and I think they'd take that risk)
• does he want to stay (and I would imagine he'd be as happy there as anywhere)
• would the ARU sign a three year deal (maybe, although injury history and the emergence of O'Connor might put a dent in that)
• would Barnes want to lock in the current ARU player valuation (doubt it given they are squeezing the pips...depends on how he sees his worth increasing I guess)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Burgs

Does Queensland have the dollars available to lock away a player of his standing on a three year deal though?

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???
in what regard?
Super14 provinces are limited to paying there players $110'000, with the rest coming from top-ups from the ARU...