Ben Barba to be named Sharks fullback, beating Jack Bird to the no. 1 jumper

THE 2012 Dally M winner, Ben Barba, will be named at fullback for the Sharks, staving off competition from rising stars Jack Bird and Valentine Holmes.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 12: Ben Barba and Jack Bird of the Sharks celebrate a try by Barba during the round 18 NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Remondis Stadium on July 12, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

BEN Barba has won the fullback battle at Cronulla.

The 2012 Dally M medal winner will be named in the no1 jumper for the Sharks daunting road-trip to Townsville, where they will face premiers North Queensland on Saturday night.

Dally M rookie of the year Jack Bird will be named in the centre position by coach Shane Flanagan when he names his side this afternoon with New Zealand Test centre Gerard Beale battling to overcome a hamstring complaint.

Beale faces a final fitness test on Wednesday.

In selecting Bird at centre, Flanagan will form a lethal right-edge combination with winger Valentine Holmes. The duo are no stranger to partnering each other in the backline having dominated together for the Junior Kangaroos.

The experience of Barba at the back over Bird, coupled with his renewed focus on regaining his speed and fitness over a gruelling pre-season, has resulted in Flanagan’s decision.

Originally published as Ben Barba to be named Sharks fullback, beating Jack Bird to the no. 1 jumper