Barnes set for Waratahs return

Editor

Waratahs playmaker Berrick Barnes is expected to return when his side face the Cheetahs in Sydney on Friday.

Waratahs playmaker Berrick Barnes is expected to return when his side face the Cheetahs in Sydney on Friday.

Barnes has been sidelined since the start of the tournament after injuring his knee during a training session last month.

But Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has confirmed that the Wallabies utility-back will be back against the Bloemfontein-based side this weekend.

The Sydneysiders suffered a 35-6 defeat to the Brumbies in Canberra last weekend, with Cheika describing their last 15 minutes of the match as unacceptable.

“We have to make sacrifices to win those battles, whether it's against the Brumbies or against the Cheetahs or against anyone,” he told AAP.

“And that's something that the players are going to learn along the way, because if they don't do it then they won't get picked.

“Just work hard and make the sacrifices that are required to get the satisfaction at the end of the game.”

Rob Horne is also set to return against the Cheetahs, after recovering from a hamstring injury, but Cheika is still undecided whether he and Barnes will start that match or play off the replacements bench.

The Waratahs' loss to the Brumbies means that they have only won match from three played this season.

Cheika expects a difficult encounter against the Cheetahs who are on a high after beating the Highlanders convincingly in Invercargill.

“They play a very good style of rugby and I think they've got a very clear identity of themselves, so they're prepared to play their style of game no matter what,” he said.