Carter brought Barbarouses, then 17, across to Macarthur Rams in 2008. There, the rough and tumble of playing against men in the NSW Premier League refined the teenager's game.

And Carter knew then the Wellingtonian whiz kid was something special. He now says Barbarouses can take the next step and head to Europe - with the help of a little bit more polish courtesy of Wellington Phoenix.

"He came over here to gain experience in the rough and tumble and you could see he had potential. He had a good attitude and I think he benefited from it," Carter tells au.fourfourtwo.com.

"I remember he played against Central Coast for Phoenix when he was 17 and he just ripped them apart with his speed playing up front as a lone striker. And he did well for Phoenix against LA Galaxy in 2007.

"There's no question Costa's one of those blokes who can light up a ground and get fans off their feet, which is what you want in any sport."

Barbarouses, 19, lit up a chilly Westpac stadium on Wednesday night with a classy display in his first start of the season. His two goal assists included a sublime backheel to help Chris Greenacre score Phoenix's second in a 3-0 win over Newcastle Jets. The win propelled Phoenix into the top six.

After scoring against Sydney three days earlier, Barbarouses could be the X-Factor Ricki Herbert has been looking for to grab that elusive finals spot.

Barbarouses looks to be a good foil for Greenacre and Paul Ifill as the draw specialists' season kicks into gear with nine goals scored and zero conceded in their last two home games. 

Another youngster in Marcos Rojas is also one to watch out for in a country that is showing its potential on the world stage. The Kiwi U/17s are into the final 16 of the U/17 Youth World Championships in Nigeria.

Carter adds a note of caution though. While conceding Barbarouses can take a shot at Europe after establishing himself in the A-League, he says the Phoenix flyer is a work in progress.

"He still has a lot to learn," he said. "It was the case now and it was the case then. There are a few things technically he has to work on."

Herbert also appears to believe the youngster needs more time, choosing other options upfront for his World Cup squad.

"The final ball sometimes can let him down," added Carter, a former NSL player in the 1980s with Marconi and APIA.

"Against Sydney FC we saw him score but before that, under no pressure, he crossed the ball and it was way off. Things like that - but he's got unlimited potential."

Barbarouses made two starts in last season's campaign, scoring against Adelaide, after a solitary start in the Phoenix's inaugural season against the Mariners.

Carter says Costa's best position has yet to reveal itself.

"He can play alongside a tall striker like a Josh Kennedy flicking on balls," said Carter. "Or in between the forward and midfield lines with a free rein to run at defences.

"But he can get pushed off the ball so you're under more pressure to hold a ball up in the centre of midfield than you do out wide with space behind you. He could play wide right in a 4-4-2 too."

And the Macarthur link continues with Raul Blanco, currently a technical advisor to the All-Whites, the new Rams coach for the NSW Super League season in 2010.

Like Barbarouses, Carter is one to look out for in the future. He's done the hard yards coaching in the lower leagues for more than 10 years and believes he can step up to the NSW Premier League or even as an A-League assistant coach.

He left the Rams with four games left of this season after a dispute over the club's direction. Bizarrely, the club wanted to take selection away from the first team coach and put it in the hands of a selection committee. The team fell out of the five shortly after.

Carter says coaching is in his blood. He added: "I'll be back sooner rather than later, but I have to be patient."