Barbarouses, 20, will be doubly motivated to do well in front of Ricki Herbert, the dual Phoenix and All-White coach.

In the off-season, the Wellingtonian winger departed his hometown club to become one of the first through the doors as Roar’s revolution under new coach Ange Postecoglou began to take shape in the sunshine state.

After 21 appearances over three seasons (with two goals) Barbarouses wasn’t able to hold down a regular spot at Phoenix – a club that also cannot offer NYL football for their fringe first teamers.

Asa result, Kosta never got the chance to show the best of a player some tipped to be the next Kiwi superstar when he burst onto the A-League scene in 2007.

Being on the fringes of Phoenix may have contributed to Barbarouses also missing World Cup selection for the Kiwis’ unforgettable run in South Africa even though he was in contention right up till the squad was announced.

And while he was named as a non-travelling reserve you can’t help feel the pint-sized former Kiwi youth international will be extra motivated against Herbert and his former club.

“I’ve got a lot of mates in the All-White team so the World Cup was tough to watch but it was very good to see,” Barbarouses told au.fourfourtwo.com.

“If I do well here in Brisbane, hopefully my football will do the talking and international caps will come. If I do well here they gotta take notice and hopefully I do get involved.”

A strong performance Friday night at Suncorp would be a timely reminder of what the former Team Wellington star can do and how his new environment has reinvigorated him, particularly with two high profile games in Auckland and Wellington this October kick-starting the Kiwi campaign for Brazil 2014.

And after missing a gilt-edged chance last week against Sydney FC, he’ll no doubt be keen to redeem himself in front of his home fans.

Barbarouses will be 24 at the next World Cup and the Roar move – a three year deal - could be just the catalyst for him to add to his one national team cap (against Fiji in 2008).

He added: “I’ve been in New Zealand since I was a kid but now I’ve changed countries I’m taking it all in and loving every minute of it.

“You’ve just got to embrace whatever you’re doing – if you don’t do that there’s really no point in being here. You’ve got to look at the positives.”

Barbarouses is no stranger to Australia having been out on loan at NSW side Macarthur during his stint in Wellington. It toughened him up playing in the second tier league on pitches less suited to skillful players.

“You’ve got to try all sorts of things to find what’s going to get the best out of you,” he said.

And while he’s pondering his future in the national team, he’s also taking some early steps to find out what he might do after football.

“We have a careers advisor here in Brisbane so I’m really just looking at my options. I guess it’s about finding my next passion. I guess I just haven’t found it yet."

The New Zealander is enjoying life in the vibrant city of Brisbane.  His girlfriend arrived in the last month but he is lacking one other part of his life in Wellington.

“To be honest, I haven’t yet found a church. I’ve been pretty slack but I want to start going. I need to find a local Greek Orthodox Church.

He added with a smile: “It got a bit lonely to be honest when I was here by myself. But I haven’t missed the weather not one bit and I don’t really watch Shortland Street [popular Kiwi TV soap] so I'm not missing that.”