Barnes could be heading our way

PETER MEECHAM / Fairfax Media

EASY TARGET: English referee Wayne Barnes made plenty of mistakes in New Zealand's quarter-final loss but did he make more errors than Graham Henry during the All Blacks' failed World Cup campaign?

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English referee Wayne Barnes - the man who copped all sorts of abuse for the All Blacks' World Cup disaster - could be facing the music in New Zealand sooner than you think.

The whispers I'm hearing suggest that Barnes could be sent Down Under next season to take charge of an All Blacks test.

And that could be as early as New Zealand's season-opening test against Ireland in Wellington on June 7.

The All Blacks play England the following two weekends in the remainder of the 2008 Iveco Series but Barnes' nationality will rule him out of whistling in those matches.

If things don't pan out that quickly, then look for him to be handed a Tri-Nations assignment.

The All Blacks have three home Tri-Nations matches - two against world champions South Africa and one against the Wallabies.

These will be pressure-cooker matches, especially if Graham Henry is lining up against Robbie Deans in the Bledisloe Cup.

Word is that the IRB's referee manager Paddy O'Brien is keen for his star pupil Barnes to front up.

If that's the case  then good on you Paddy. It will be an ideal opportunity to see how your golden boy handles the heat.

And there would surely be plenty of it.

Barnes was used as a scapegoat for the All Blacks' inadequacies in their failed Cup quarter-final against France.

The public ripped into him openly in talkback and internet reaction while behind closed doors the All Blacks management were quick to point out the large numbers of errors made by Barnes in Cardiff as being a major reason for their shock 20-18 loss to France.

O'Brien strongly defended Barnes in the immediate aftermath of that loss as Kiwi fury reached fever-pitch. He said there was more to the All Blacks' loss than just a few refereeing errors and he suggested New Zealand needed to grow up as a sporting nation.

In an official review of Barnes' performance, O'Brien later admitted it was below par.

So it seems Barnes will be asked to get back on the horse and ride out the storm that will surely brew in New Zealand.

It will be a massive test of character for the young Englishman both on and off the field. But you sense that's the sort of examination O'Brien wants to see Barnes face - and hopefully survive.

Barnes has been busy with English premiership and Heineken Cup officiating since the World Cup.

It will be interesting to see what role he gets to play in the looming Six Nations tests in Europe. If he comes through that international window confidently, then look for him to be heading our way.

Get those old sheets washed and buy a new spray can - there will surely be a tidal wave of clever signs doing the rounds at the ground.

It promises to be a fascinating time in a fascinating season as Henry beds in his new-look team.

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