Rugby: Barnes urged to produce the goods

Wallabies' coach John Connolly has challenged exciting youngster Berrick Barnes to back up his five-star debut performance when Australia play Fiji on Monday.

The 21-year-old Queensland Reds first five-eighths came in late for the injured Stephen Larkham and played a prominent role on his full international debut against Wales in Cardiff.

Connolly wants Barnes to produce the goods against the Fijians at Stade De La Mosson to keep selection pressure on Larkham, when the influential 102-test pivot recovers from minor knee surgery for the quarter-finals.

Connolly hinted that Larkham, for so long an indispensable part of the Wallabies' team, may not be assured of his place if Barnes continued to play well.