Queensland captaincy contender Berrick Barnes has put up his hand for even more Super 14 responsibility by eying the Reds goalkicking job.

Wallabies centre Barnes, returning from torn knee ligaments, is engaged in a goalkicking shootout with fellow inside backs Ben Lucas and Quade Cooper for the role.

The loss of league convert Clinton Schifcofske to Irish club Ulster has created the intra-squad competition which will ultimately be decided in the Reds trials.

"The old kicking shootout, they're three good goalkickers so trial form will be important there, as well as the amount of work they do between now and then," said coach Phil Mooney.

Of the three, skilful halfback Lucas looms as the slight favourite thanks to his success at Brisbane club level.

Barnes was involved in a similar three-way shootout when he started his rugby career with the Reds in 2006.

Elton Flatley and Julian Huxley took the responsibilities in their final seasons at Ballymore before Schifcofske arrived in 2007.

"I've played second fiddle before (with goalkicking), especially here with Flats and then Hux, and then Clinton the last two years," Barnes said.

"It's something I want to do."

But the 13-Test back admitted his first priority is ensuring he's 100 per cent fit to play Queensland's last pre-season match against the Western Force on February 5.

Barnes was initially desperate to play two trials but is resigned to probably missing the January 30 match against the Blues in Auckland.

"Given my history of coming back too early before with my shoulder it's probably best to have an extra week," he said.

"I've learned now that you take the medicos advice and run with it."

With captain James Horwill (foot) sidelined for at least for the first month of the Super 14, Barnes is favoured to take the caretaker's role ahead of prop Greg Holmes.

Mooney, set to settle upon his stand-in skipper next week, denied he'd be reluctant to bestow Barnes with both the captaincy and goalkicking responsibilities if he was the best man for both.

"At the end of the day he's now an international footballer and he's a lot more mature than he was 12 months ago in a rugby context," he said.

"Guys like Berrick and Matt Giteau thrive on that responsibility."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP