One of a new generation of highly-talented Australian backs currently pushing for international honours, Barnes made his Wallabies bow at the 2007 Rugby World Cup where he featured in four Tests at fly-half after injury brought an end to Stephen Larkham's representative career.

Barnes found a home at inside centre under new coach Robbie Deans and quickly made himself at home in the new position. He scored the first try of the 'Deans era' in just the fifth minute of Australia's victory over Ireland in Melbourne and also delivered the drop goal that finally killed off South Africa in the 2008 Tri-Nations.

A useful back up goal-kicker as well as an influential playmaker, Barnes saw his 2008 season curtailed by a shoulder injury but he reclaimed his place in the Wallabies' ranks the following year. He was named vice-captain for the 2009 tour of Europe but again saw his hopes dashed by an ankle injury.

He battled back to fitness for the 2010 Super Rugby season but the subsequent emergence of the Reds' Quade Cooper as an international-class fly-half saw Barnes slip down the pecking order with Cooper and Giteau the preferred 10-12 combination. As a result he had to accept the limited opportunities offered by injuries and suspensions.

The playmaker suffered a series of blows to the head whilst playing for the Waratahs during the 2011 Super Rugby competition which led to him being diagnosed with footballers' migraine and missing much of the Super Rugby season.

He made his comeback for Sydney University in mid July, signalling his readiness to challenge for a place in the rest of Australia's Tri-Nation and World Cup campaigns. And Barnes' perseverance was rewarded with a call-up to the Wallabies squad for the World Cup. His form in Super Rugby and for the Wallabies against Wales put him in pole position for the No.10 shirt for the Rugby Championship.

Barnes began his career in rugby league with the Brisbane Broncos aged 18, before deciding to switch codes after only a handful of games in the NRL. He made his Super Rugby bow with the Reds in 2006 where his star continued to rise until he opted for a switch to rivals the Waratahs for the 2010 season.