Kevin Walters says Ben Barba is in the mix to replace Billy Slater as Maroons fullback

KEVIN Walters says that Ben Barba is in the frame to replace the injured Billy Slater as Maroons fullback for this year’s Origin series.

Cronulla's Ben Barba during the Cronulla v St George rugby league game at Shark Park, Cronulla. Pic Brett Costello

BEN Barba has rocketed into State of Origin contention with new Maroons coach Kevin Walters declaring him a utility option for this year’s series opener.

Billy Slater’s latest shoulder setback will force the Maroons into a reshuffle, with centre Greg Inglis and winger Darius Boyd both in contention for the No. 1 jumper.

But Barba has emerged as a surprise left-field candidate after Walters revealed the former Dally M Medallist had caught his eye with his early-season displays for the Sharks.

Barba was 18th man for Queensland in 2012 before his stunning fall from grace and Walters says his recent form at fullback for the Sharks has him in the mix for a shock debut off interchange.

“Ben could be a utility option for sure,” Walters said.

“I’ve been watching him for Cronulla and he’s on the right path. He looks such a better player this year than he has been in the past few years, so that’s exciting for me and Ben as well.

“Ben is certainly on my radar. He has impressed me with what he has done at Cronulla, he is trimmer, fitter and he’s warming into the role of fullback.

“Once he gets a bit more football under his belt, we all know what an exciting player he can be. There’s a lot of water to run under the bridge but he is in the eye of the Queensland selectors, that’s for sure.”

Barba endured a nightmare stint at the Broncos in 2014 but is arguably in the best shape of his career after a superb pre-season with the Sharks.

“Ben had a terrific summer, as good as I’ve seen from him,” said veteran Sharks hooker Michael Ennis.

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“He has worked tirelessly on his game, a lot of people last year were quick to judge Ben on form, but he had spent the whole summer at five-eighth, moved clubs, and had carried a rib and ankle injury for most of the season at the Broncos that not a lot of people knew about.

“But he had a smooth summer injury wise and the confidence in him is really starting to grow. He will be a huge bonus for us at Cronulla this year.”

Barba will hope to join the Maroons for their annual fan-day visit, which will this year take Walters’ squad to the Central Queensland town of Gladstone.

The mining town is the home of Maroons legend Gary Larson, who played 24 consecutive Origin matches, and Walters is looking forward to connecting with the Queensland bush folk in his maiden year in charge.

“The staff and players get a lot out of the day,” he said. “Certainly going up and visiting the country towns lifts the spirit of everyone so it’s a great experience to communicate with the locals.

“I was actually born in Rockhampton so it (Gladstone) is a stone’s throw from my original birthplace.

Barba has reclaimed the Sharks fullback jersey.

“It will be very exciting getting back up there, it’s a huge rugby league town. Gary Larson is still living up there and Jason Hetherington is in the district so it will be great to take the team there and see some Origin greats.

“The players get a lot out of it, they get a sense of pride, it’s the people they are representing. When you walk the streets, people get so excited seeing the players and it gives the local communities a lift.

“The players get a sense of why they are playing for Queensland.”

Walters said he is bitterly disappointed to lose Slater, who will be sidelined for the next six to eight months after a second bout of shoulder surgery.

“I haven’t spoken to Billy post-operation but before that he was extremely disappointed,” he said.

“He was pretty aware then of how bad the situation was, players know when there is something more serious and the impression I got from Billy was that he had a long-term injury, not a short-term one.

“But we have a number of options so someone will step up and do the job.”

Originally published as Kevin Walters says Ben Barba is in the mix to replace Billy Slater as Maroons fullback