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Ben Barba: An X-Factor That Could Still Bring Plenty to the NRL

Dermott Banks

An NRL export is making waves in the English Super League, with Ben Barba spearheading St Helens’ push to get back amongst the silverware in 2018.

The Saints are sitting pretty at the top of the Super League table, with many backing them to end the season with at least one piece of silverware. Justin Holbrook’s side are making short work of a lot of Super League, with Barba the man everybody has eyes on when Saints take to the field.

Barba left the NRL in controversy, with Saints taking a chance on the full-back and offering him a route into Super League, where the 29-year-old is excelling and surely on the radar of a number of NRL clubs already.

The ex-Dally M Medal winner has stayed clear of controversy in the English game, letting his rugby do the talking on the pitch. Barba has been 2018’s standout performer, already bagging himself 20 Super League tries by the start of July, alongside a further 21 try assists. Added to that, Barba has an impressive 1786 metres to his name, which come at an impressive average gain of 9.25 metres – the best of any St Helens player.

For the NRL Fantasy enthusiasts, seeing Barba return to Australia would be like Christmas come early, he’s simply that good.

That kind of form has made St Helens look like a champion side, with Barba looking to join a group of players to win both the Super League and NRL in their career.

The side Barba won the NRL with back in 2016, Cronulla Sharks, aren’t amongst the favourites without the talismanic full-back, with the Sharks priced at $12.00 to win the competition in the NRL betting.

There’s no doubt that a player of Barba’s ability would transform the fortune of many NRL sides, not least the Sharks, who do look like they’re missing the 29-year-old.

Barba was a try scorer in that 14-12 win over Melbourne Storm in 2016, putting the Sharks ahead, as they edged their way to the title.

Of course, Barba is a player that has brought controversy in the past, but a side like St Helens have taken a chance on the full-back and are now reaping the benefits, with trophies sure to follow after such an emphatic 2018 performance so far.

There’s every chance that Barba could be on his way back to the NRL at some point, with the Australian competition the pinnacle for most, especially Southern Hemisphere born players. The 29-year-old would just need somebody to take a chance on him as he enters his thirties.

Age is no longer on Barba’s side, but he has the skill set to still be a major star in the NRL. He hasn’t lost his electric pace and he knows how to score tries, as he has shown on over 20 occasions so far in the Super League in 2018.

There aren’t many players who bring the excitement that Barba does, with his try-scoring and assisting record absolutely superb. He is a fanasty rugby league manager’s dream and somebody that will get Australian rugby supporters on the edge of their seat.

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Dermott Banks