Legend Billy Moore and Kodi Nikorima call for players ‘uphold reputation of the game’

Former Queensland Origin player Billy Moore said he had reacted with “anger despair and embarrassment’’ to the code’s latest instance of alleged domestic violence.

Ben Barba is accused of domestic violence. Picture: Alix Sweeney

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Kodi Nikorima has backed Peter Beattie’s call for players to “show leadership’’ to get the game out of its domestic violence troubles.

ARL Commission chairman Beattie said on Saturday that the sport needed leadership from players as well as the NRL clubs to drive through cultural change in how players regarded women.

“Collectively and individually, we’ve got to uphold a good reputation for the game,’’ Broncos halfback Nikorima told The Courier-Mail.

Ben Barba is accused of domestic violence. Picture: Alix Sweeney

“We’ve got to pull each other up when somebody is out of line.

“We are role models to little kids so we have to do the right thing.’’

Cowboys coach Paul Green said there had been no signs of any impending issues with Ben Barba prior to an alleged incident involving Barba and his partner Ainslie Currie last Monday at a Townsville casino. It led to the fullback’s Cowboys contract being terminated on Friday.

“He had settled in really. He was really popular with the players,’’ Green told News Corp Australia.

“He seemed happy in his new environment. There were absolutely no signs of any issues.’’

Former Queensland Origin player Billy Moore said he had reacted with “anger despair and embarrassment’’ to the code’s latest instance of alleged domestic violence.

“Rugby league is a lie. We lie about women’s round and (the charity of) White Ribbon,’’ Moore told ABC radio.

Billy Moore has slammed NRL’s misbehaving players. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“The bar was low for rugby league anyway but I think Ben Barba is the sixth NRL individual to be hauled on of accusations of violence against women.

“I’m sad because I know how great our game is on the field. Off field we’ve reached a breach point where this cannot continue.

“The force of the game has to come down. Just because you’re a great player isn’t an excuse.’’

Barba’s sacking on Friday left the Cowboys 43 days in which to train up or recruit and prepare a fullback for their first premiership match, against St George Illawarra.

Moore said Ben Hampton should play fullback for the Cowboys if they do not recruit another player with the salary cap leeway left by Barba’s sacking.

Hampton played fullback for North Queensland in their last two premiership matches of 2018, with Te Maire Martin in the last line in the previous match.

Brent Tate, a Cowboys old boys and current club employee, said he didn’t know who would be fullback in the March 16 match against St George Illawarra, but he thought Michael Morgan would be deployed in a playmaking capacity rather than be handed the No.1 jersey.

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