Barnes to lead Tahs in trial

Playmaker Berrick Barnes will be given first shot at warming the captaincy seat left vacant by Rocky Elsom when he leads NSW into action against Samoa in a trial in Tamworth on Friday.

With Elsom unavailable for the first few rounds of the Super Rugby season due to a hamstring injury, Waratahs coach Michael Foley will use his side's two pre-season matches to audition a number of captaincy candidates.

Barnes will control the side for the first half against Samoa before passing on leadership duties to fly-half Daniel Halangahu for the second term.

"Berrick is part of our leadership group and Daniel is one of our senior professionals," Foley explained.

"Both are key decision makers for us and suit what we are trying to achieve."

Barnes will lead a team out containing six Wallabies and a new half-back in South African Sarel Pretorius.

There is plenty of buzz surrounding Pretorius, who was voted his country's leading Super rugby player last year.

Halangahu's team will have a more youthful look about it.

Barnes' team will play two 30-minute quarters before he hands the reins to his backline partner for another two quarters of 30 minutes.

"The trip is a chance for a break from our daily training environment, to take some time out as a group and get together to finalise our Super Rugby preparations," Foley said.

Apart from Elsom, wingers Drew Mitchell (ankle) and Atiele Pakalani (knee) along with forwards Wycliff Palu (hamstring), Dan Vickerman (knee) and Benn Robinson (knee) will sit out the trial.

Wallaby Adam Ashley-Cooper will make his first appearance for the Waratahs in the following week's trial against Tonga.