The arrival of former Wallaby Morgan Turinui should ensure Queensland flyhalf Berrick Barnes does not suffer a World Cup hangover, Reds coach Phil Mooney says.

Barnes was one of the Wallabies' success stories at a disappointing World Cup campaign after relishing a chance to replace the injured Stephen Larkham.

Mooney was the first to admit that all the pressure would be on Barnes to back up his Wallabies heroics for a rebuilding Queensland in the 2008 Super 14.

However, Mooney was confident Barnes would meet the challenge with former Wallabies vice-captain Turinui by his side.

Ex-NSW Waratahs centre Turinui, 25, began his first season with Queensland in earnest on Thursday when the Reds squad returned from annual leave to start a three-day training camp in northern NSW.

Mooney was clearly overjoyed with having 2003 World Cup squad member Turinui in his team despite the miserable conditions that greeted the Reds at Casuarina Beach's Surfing Australia High Performance Centre Thursday.

"It's going to be a pretty big year for Berrick. He's come back from the World Cup after performing so well - there's going to be more attention on him from other teams," Mooney said.

"(So) Morgan is a real bonus for Berrick.

"He's an experienced player. He plays wider out so he gets a good feel for things and is a good talker.

"People would be surprised that he (Morgan) is only 25 years old (but) it seems like he has been around for 100 years.

"He's the sort of guy who has got aspirations still to be a long term Wallaby - he will be very good for us."

Mooney also licked his lips at the prospect of a new centre combination with the arrival of Turinui and another ex-Waratah Chris Siale joining ex-Wallaby Lloyd Johansson at the Reds.

"When you don't have big blokes at centre who aren't a threat the defence would focus on Latho (fullback Chris Latham)," Mooney said.

"Now that we've got big threats mid-field all of a sudden we've got options."

Mooney said Turinui had all but locked up No.13 while Siale and Johansson were battling for inside centre.

"Chris probably has his nose in front (for No.12). He's been a real revelation - he's taken Lloyd to another level at training," Mooney said.

While Mooney said there was finally "legitimate competition" for backline spots, scrumhalf depth will be tested after Will Genia broke his hand in a freak injury.

Sam Cordingley's apprentice tried to help his family move a fridge at his PNG home in the off-season when it landed on his hand.

When Genia mentioned the incident upon his arrival at the camp on Thursday, x-rays were called and revealed a fracture, ruling him out for four to five weeks.

He is expected to miss the pre-season trials, placing more pressure on Cordingley.

Queensland's trials are against NSW on January 26 in Sydney, the Blues at Ballymore on January 31 and Western Force at Perth on February 7.

Their Super 14 opener is against the Highlanders at Suncorp Stadium on February 15.

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