Lachie Turner may well be the surprise selection in coach Robbie Deans' first Wallabies team of 2009, but he is intent on proving his inclusion ahead of Lote Tuqiri was no mistake.

Turner will take his place on the wing in the Wallabies' season-opening clash against the Barbarians at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night, after earning selection ahead of Waratahs teammate Tuqiri.

The 22-year-old said he's keen to showcase his skill and use his opportunity to prove to Deans and his teammates that he deserves his spot pairing Drew Mitchell on the wing.

"I feel like I've made some progress throughout the year, physically I've become a bit stronger and I think my work-rate picked up this year a little bit on last year (with the Waratahs), so I am very happy with those gains in my game," Turner told AAP on Wednesday.

"I guess I'm just trying to do my thing each week and ... that's got me a spot this week.

"I've got a really good opportunity now to play well and to come up against the best in the world.

"The Baa Baas team is a quality team and I'm really looking forward to going out there and perhaps showing Robbie and the other guys and the fans what I can do."

Turner showed his loyalty to out-of-favour 67-Test winger Tuqiri when he politely declined to weigh in on why he thought he received the nod ahead of his mate.

"I wouldn't be able to tell you why, you'd have to ask Robbie," he said.

Turner admitted he didn't expect to be named in the Wallabies' starting side which will take on a star-studded Barbarians team led by Waratahs captain Phil Waugh.

It also includes new Brumbies signing Rocky Elsom, former Australian halfback Chris Whitaker and a raft of former All Blacks.

"I sort of thought through the end of the Super 14 that I would be kicking back and playing for (Sydney club) Eastwood this week," said the two-Test winger.

Turner has a tough first up assignment against England's World Cup-winning winger Josh Lewsey, who has amassed 58-Tests.

"Lewsey's a very good player, he's a confrontational player ... he's a pretty quick guy and relishes any space you give him, so I'll be trying to get on him and try to make sure that I limit his opportunities with the ball and attack," he said.

"I'll be working hard to try and get past him and around him any way I can, he's pretty strong defensively, so it'll be a pretty good tussle that one."

Turner, who made his Australian debut against France in Brisbane last year, said the Wallabies were treating the Barbarians clash like a Test match.

"This one is a very big game for us, not just being the first one of the year, but when you're going out to represent your country, you don't take it lightly," Turner said.

"We're approaching this like a Test match and we're going to give the Baa Baa's everything that we've got."

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