Ben Barba poised for shock comeback to rugby league in new North American competition

Former Dally M Medallist Ben Barba is poised for a sensational return to rugby league in one of the biggest cities in the world.

Former Dally M medallist Ben Barba has approached the New York franchise about a sensational return to rugby league in the new North American Rugby League competition.

And The Daily Telegraph can reveal Barba has influential support among US league powerbrokers to be granted a shock comeback.

New York management has made a formal application to the five-man NARL board for Barba to play this season with the New Jersey-based side.

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NARL directors are considering the request with several well-placed sources indicating there is an appetite for the former NRL star to become the first star player to join the American competition, which officially kicks off in June.

New York may even be asked to put forward a monetary bond which would be forfeited should one-time bad boy Barba transgress again.

Ben Barba could make a shock return to rugby league in the United States. Picture: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

NARL management does harbour some concerns about Barba’s wayward past but know his lofty profile – through stints in the NRL, English Super League and French rugby union – could significantly increase exposure for the new 14-team, two-conference premiership.

Competition directors are planning a rigorous interview with Barba to determine how strongly he has rehabilitated from several past off-field dramas.

The NARL board spoke with all clubs via Zoom this week before New York officials stayed online after the meeting to offer reasons why Barba’s registration should be accepted.

NYRL believes playing professional rugby league once again would give Barba a chance to continue rebuilding his life. One source close to the negotiations said New York was “desperate” to sign Barba.

Should Barba prove his behavioural patterns have improved considerably in recent years, there is every chance he will be permitted to join New York.

“Ben has approached us and we would have to consider the positives and negatives of whether he could be signed,” a NARL spokesman said.

The NARL board – given this is year one in its existence – does harbour private concerns that Barba’s reckless past could impact potential sponsorship deals as the competition kick-off looms.

A final decision on Barba will be reached within the next week.

All US clubs must have their rosters finalised by June 1.

Ben Barba won an NRL premiership with Cronulla in 2016. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The Daily Telegraph has also been told two other as yet unknown US rugby league franchises have also expressed a keen interest in Barba.

While Super League mirrored the NRL’s decision to ban Barba for his off-field dramas, the NARL isn’t affiliated with the NRL. American officials do though want it known their competition won’t sign previously misbehaving players wanting easy money.

Barba, still only 31, would light up the NARL competition which comprises teams from Atlanta, Austin, Brooklyn, Boston, Cleveland, Las Vegas, New York, Ottawa, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Toronto and Washington.

Proving the new competition wants high-profile players, Brooklyn this week announced the signing of former Souths, Wests Tigers and Gold Coast prop Eddy Pettybourne.

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Barba’s indiscretions include being stood down in 2013 by Canterbury for an incident after ending his relationship with partner and childhood sweetheart, Ainslie Currie. No charges were laid.

He was suspended for 12 months after testing positive to cocaine after Cronulla’s 2016 grand final and was later sacked by North Queensland without playing a game over domestic violence charges.

Barba played 202 NRL games for the Bulldogs, Broncos and Sharks before a stint with St Helens in England and then Toulon in French rugby union. He was the 2018 Super League Man of Steel.

The first North American Rugby League game will be played in Brooklyn on June 19 with a match the following day in Las Vegas.

Given the COVID-19 crisis still engulfing America, the 2021 season will comprise just 12 teams with the two Canadian sides – Toronto and Ottawa — unable to travel into the US.