Latest NRL News

Super League won’t allow Barba back

The RFL will block the reigning Man of Steel’s Super League return.

Published by
Ben Cotton

The Super League will block any potential attempt from Ben Barba to rejoin the Super League if the troubled star is banned from the NRL, per NRL.com.

The 29-year old played for St Helens last season in a bid revitalise his NRL career before signing with North Queensland in the off-season.

But the 2018 Man of Steel's return to the NRL was over before it began after Barba was sacked by the Cowboys last Friday for allegedly assaulting his partner at a Townsville casino on Australia Day.

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has since revealed Barba will not be allowed to join another club if the CCTV footage proves he was guilty, and the RFL are set to follow suit.

"We will always uphold any ban imposed by the NRL under a reciprocal agreement between RFL and the NRL," a RFL statement said.

"Independent to that arrangement, the RFL Board has the right to refuse registration to any player - and would also consult with the Super League in that process.

"We are bound to follow that process - but if the facts of this case turn out to be as reported, the RFL would condemn them as deplorable."

Asked whether Barba could pursue other sporting codes, Greenberg said: "I won't reach out to other codes, what other codes do is a business for them".

Published by
Ben Cotton