Recruit Berrick Barnes is set to stake his claim for being the Waratahs goalkicker this season when he makes his NSW debut in Saturday's rugby trial against the Fijian Warriors.

The Test and former Queensland inside back will line up at five-eighth in a strong side featuring nine Test representatives.

NSW coach Chris Hickey decided on Friday to rest three of his returning Wallabies who were originally scheduled to start the game at Orange in central western NSW.

Hickey said wingers Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner and forward Dean Mumm each had a "few little niggles".

"We're not particularly worried about any of them at this stage," said Hickey, who hoped the trio would all be available for Thursday's last trial against the Brumbies.

Hickey said he would probably look at Barnes and Daniel Halangahu in the goal kicking department.

"We're really lucky we've got three or four good choices in terms of kickers.

"We are trying to make sure that we've got two kickers on the field, so if we get an injury, you've still got a kicker."

Kurtley Beale, who will start at inside centre, was the first-choice goalkicker for the first half of last season's Super campaign.

Halangahu took over after Beale was dropped mid-season and was the first-choice goalkicker in last week's opening trial against Queensland in which former Red Brendan McKibbin also had a turn.

Hickey stressed Beale remained an option.

While the versatile Beale finished last year at inside centre, Hickey said he could also look at the gifted Wallabies utility back at both five-eighth and fullback in the trials.

Hickey doesn't expect to have Wallabies hooker Adam Freier available after back surgery until around mid season.

"He's still in a rehabilitation period and that will probably last at least six to eight weeks and then, provided he comes through that stage, he will be ready to play, so probably mid-competition he should be fully fit," Hickey said.

Promising youngster Damien Fitzpatrick will back up the Waratahs other Wallaby hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau on Saturday.

"It is a big loss. He's a very experienced player and also culturally for the team he's a very important player, we will miss him," NSW Phil Waugh said of Freier.

Waugh, who will make his season debut on Saturday, felt the Waratahs two main overseas recruits, Sosene Anesi and South African Hendrik Roodt were reasonably impressive in their first hitout for NSW last week and each would be better for the run.

New Zealand-born forward Cam Jowitt will get his first run with the Waratahs at lock in Orange.

NSW beat the Fijian Warriors 60-0 in a trial in Newcastle last January, but Hickey and Waugh expect to face a very competitive side in Orange.

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