The Reds have expressed their "disappointment" with star back Berrick Barnes, who on Wednesday advised Reds head coach Phil Mooney that he had decided to take up an offer of a one year contract with the Waratahs in 2010.

The Reds said in a statement that while we wish him well, they are disappointed that Barnes has chosen this course and decided to leave the Reds, especially so because over the past four years his career has blossomed at the Reds - where he went from being a part-time Brisbane Broncos National Rugby League player to a regular in the Wallaby side.

This decision will also come as a shock to Barnes's teammates, especially as during the season he had given every indication that he was happy and would renew his contract so he could be part of the Reds revival.

Reds General Manager Daniel Herbert said Reds supporters, stakeholders and sponsors should be assured that in contract negotiations the Reds satisfied Barnes's every request and left no stone unturned in efforts to persuade him that he was a valued member of the group.

"However as [Wallaby coach] Robbie Deans said recently when Timana Tahu left Rugby Union to return to Rugby League - if a player decides they want to leave, then you can only accept it and focus on those players who want to stay and who want to be a part of the team," Herbert said.

Coach Phil Mooney said the Reds would now press ahead in planning for 2010, knowing that even without Barnes, the side has more backline depth than it has enjoyed in a number of seasons.

"Among others we have a new Wallaby scrumhalf in Will Genia, who has also developed his game at the Reds; a Wallaby inside back in Quade Cooper, who came to us straight out of school and has grown as a player within the Reds environment and a Wallaby winger in Peter Hynes, whose Wallaby success in 2008 can be traced directly back to our more expansive playing style that got the ball in his hands more often," Mooney said.

"We also have a host of talented young backs like QAS Reds Academy graduate Luke Morahan, who joins the senior squad next year, new recruit Will Chambers from the Melbourne Storm and the likes of Ben Lucas and Ben Tapuai who will now have a new opportunity to step up, plus the experience of a former Wallaby in Morgan Turinui to help bring them along."

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