Former Wallaby Berrick Barnes believes the progressive pursuit of international matches to develop players has put the Queensland Reds ahead of the pack.
Barnes was speaking at his old home ground at Ballymore Stadium ahead of Saturday's exciting clash between the Reds and Japan's Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights (1:30pm AEST).
Barnes is just two weeks into a full-time backs coaching role at the Wild Knights where he built an enviable record over six seasons under master coach and mentor Robbie Deans.
At 39, Barnes still looks as fit as when he played 51 Tests and racked up nearly 90 Super Rugby appearances over eight seasons for the Reds (2006-09) and NSW Waratahs (2010-13).
"I love what Les and Sam and the team are doing here with guys getting the Italian opportunity, touring Europe to play Bristol and Ulster plus touring to Japan (and Tonga)," Barnes said.
"All these different experiences help retain players, develop them and give them what rugby offers in a unique way as a game played all around the world.
"As the Wild Knights, these matches give us such great prep. We don't face this intensity until the season so for our younger boys it's the hitout they need. It shocked us last weekend (59-19 in Toowoomba) but we'll be better on Saturday."
The early kick-off on Saturday will enable fans to stay for a Watch Party on-field at Ballymore to view the Wallabies vs Japan Test from Tokyo on a giant screen from 3:50pm.
As a member of Eddie Jones' coaching group during the 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign, Barnes has seen a whole new landscape unfold compared to what he might have imagined.
"The theatre of Eddie coaching Japan is going to add to this being an exciting Test match," Barnes said.
"I learnt a lot in 2023. I know it didn't go to plan. It's great to see what Joe (Schmidt) has done with that group.
"Players like Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight are playing the footy you'd hope to see. The potential they showed as young players is being fulfilled."
Barnes came into Reds' set-up in late 2005 from the Brisbane Broncos and embarked almost immediately on a development tour of Argentina.
"I left and the Broncos and a week later I'm in Argentina. I was thinking 'how good is this?'," Barnes recalled.
"With the Wild Knights coming to Queensland, the young Reds were really, really good last weekend in Toowoomba.
"There are a couple of names I'm sure you will hear more of in the future.
"Treyvon (Pritchard) is a rare talent because I watched his Australia Under-18 matches as well. He's got a good head on his shoulders, he's mature and he's humble...they are good qualities to have.
"Finn Mackay...that's as good a young 10 performance as I've seen in a long time. Yes, the team was going forward with the pack and Dre (Pakeho) but the decisions he made, wow.
"James Martens showed a lot at halfback. He's a bigger body there too."
Barnes said building depth was a huge plus for the Reds.
"You want competition across spots. It's good headaches for Les to have with Tommy Lynagh, Carter Gordon, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and the teenage 10 coming through," Barnes said.
"It pushes you and you create the versatility to have 10-12 or 10-15 combos."
Barnes speaks from experience because he played at flyhalf, inside centre and fullback for the Wallabies with his skillset.
Saturday will kick-off at 10am when the Reds Under-16s face the ACT Brumbies Under-16s.
