Thurston sees a bit of Bowen in Barba

JOHNATHAN Thurston has hailed Ben Barba the new Matt Bowen and believes the former Dally M golden boy will bring some “Mango” magic back to the Cowboys.

Barba will join the Cowboys on a one-year deal next season and has returned to hometown Mackay in recent days after being crowned the English Super League’s player of the year following his exploits with St Helens.

The prestigious Man of Steel gong was Barba’s reward for 34 tries from as many games at the Saints and the Cowboys are banking on Barba’s backline brilliance to reignite their finals hopes in 2019.

Barba will wear the decorated No.1 jumper once owned by Bowen, who is revered as the club’s greatest fullback, having scored 130 tries from 270 games in Cowboys colours.

For nine seasons, the Thurston-Bowen show was one of the most lethal alliances in the NRL Asked if Barba reminds him of fellow indigenous wizard Bowen, the newly-retired Thurston said: “Yes, for sure.

“We have seen that attack from Benny throughout his career.

“Having him there at fullback he has a lot of speed, he can change the game in the blink of an eye and that’s what we probably lacked throughout this year.

“Hopefully he can some tries for us.”

The Cowboys endured a painful freefall last season, crashing to 13th spot, but coach Paul Green is hoping the acquisition of Barba and a fully fit Michael Morgan will engineer a finals recovery. score