Johnathan Thurston backs Ben Barba as the signing to revive North Queensland
BEN Barba will join North Queensland from St Helens while Cowboys fullback Lachlan Coote moves the other way, a deal Johnathan Thurston says can reignite North Queensland’s attack.
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JOHNATHAN Thurston believes Ben Barba can help spark a Cowboys revival after Lachlan Coote’s $1.5 million move to St Helens cleared the path for the former Dally M star to join North Queensland.
The Courier-Mail can reveal Cowboys fullback Coote has verbally agreed to a three-year deal with Saints as part of a straight swap that will see Barba wear the No.1 jumper in Townsville next season.
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Premiership-winning fullback Coote was on $650,000 at the Cowboys, money that will be used to fund the acquisition of St Helens ace Barba, whose one-year deal will be approved by the NRL.
The Cowboys and St Helens are in the final stages of successfully negotiating a transfer fee and Coote’s move to the UK will complete Barba’s NRL return after a two-year hiatus.
Despite a recent form dip, Barba is a leading contender for Super League’s Man of Steel Award – the equivalent of the NRL’s Dally M Medal – and Thurston believes he can reignite the Cowboys.
“Absolutely, Ben will be a great signing,” said recently retired Cowboys champion Thurston.
“Every team Ben has played at, he has given so much to that team.
“He is a player who plays on instinct and it will be good to have him here learning our structures.
“I haven’t spoken to ‘Greeny’ (Cowboys coach Paul Green) yet, but I think the fullback spot would be a great position for him and he will help ‘Morgo’ (chief playmaker Michael Morgan) in attack.”
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The Cowboys hope to formally announce Barba’s signing next week. Cowboys head of football Peter Parr is compiling paperwork, which includes details of Barba’s past rehabilitation after his 2016 cocaine offence, for final approval from the NRL integrity unit.
While Barba will be on his way to Townsville, fellow fullback Coote is disappointed to be leaving the NRL after failing to secure another deal in Australia.
Coote played a key role in the Cowboys’ fairytale premiership win in 2015 but fell out of favour this season, playing just nine games as North Queensland crashed to 13th place.
Coote faced taking a massive pay cut to stay in the NRL, but at 28, the 166-game custodian is still young enough to enjoy a lengthy career in the Super League as Barba’s replacement.
“St Helens will be a good fit for ‘Cootey’,” said his manager Mark Stewart.
“Lachlan definitely won’t be at the Cowboys next year and I guess when Cootey signs officially (with St Helens), they will release Barba.
“Cootey is pretty disappointed to be leaving the Cowboys. He really enjoys the club and felt he had more to offer in the NRL, but we just weren’t able to secure another deal.
“England is the best option for him, he will be going to a great club and he will enjoy the style of game over there.”
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