I could be one- and- done
Barba knows he must perform at Cowboys or risk landing on scrap heap
COWBOYS recruit Ben Barba says the possibility of “finding myself on the scrap heap” is fuelling his desire to help spark the Townsville club’s revival when he returns to the NRL next year.
The 29- year- old fullback was named in the Super League’s “dream team” on Monday, is one of three nominees for the Man of Steel and will look to guide St Helens to its first premiership since 2014 in coming weeks.
With the Cowboys pursuing the signature of star Cronulla fullback and Townsville product Valentine Holmes from 2020 onward, Barba could be forced to look elsewhere to continue his NRL career.
It should ensure he’s hungry and driven to reproduce the form that won him the 2012 Dally M medal, and steered the Sharks to a drought- breaking premiership in 2016.
The NRL issued Barba a 12game suspension for testing positive to cocaine during the ensuing celebrations.
He has been superb for St Helens and leads the Super League for tries ( 28) while also racking up 24 try assists.
“It’s a risk for myself going back there ( NRL), in a year I could find myself on the scrap heap,” Barba said. “It’s given me a drive to really prove myself and hopefully perform like I’ve done over here.
“I guess the ball is then in my court at the end of next year and I can go wherever I want. I’m getting towards the end of my career now so I’ve got to make the best decisions for my family.
“I told myself when I first got there ( England) that I wasn’t going to just to be one of them guys that came and did his business and was gone. I wanted to make a difference, I wanted to leave my mark.”
The Mackay product’s grandmother passed away earlier this year and he said homesickness was a driving force behind ending his St Helens tenure with a year to run on his contract.
The Cowboys have paid an undisclosed transfer fee to lure him as the replacement for long- time custodian Lachlan Coote in a virtual swap after he signed with St Helens.
“I lost my grandmother earlier in the year and Saints gave me the opportunity to go back but I chose not to,” he said.
“That was the turning point for me, I started struggling with homesickness, missing my family and knowing what everyone was going through.
“As the days went on, it got a bit harder. Then I sat down with Rushy ( chief executive Mike Rush) and ( coach) Justin ( Holbrook) and went over it.
“I am so thankful for what they allowed me to do by leaving early.”
Barba has the chance to make history by adding the Man of Steel to his Dally M medal. “I don’t think it has been done before,” he said. “To be short- listed is a massive honour for myself.
“As for coming back ( to England), we’ve spoken about that and I guess when the time comes, I’ll have to make the decision with my family again.”
St Helens are due to take on the Warrington Wolves in a Super League semi- final later this week.