Cowboys’ dynamic duo
Barba and Holmes would work a treat together, says Renouf
BRONCOS legend Steve Renouf believes Ben Barba and Valentine Holmes can co- exist in the same Cowboys team, and has put the onus on Barba to give the club little option but to re- sign him after 2019.
The superstar fullback will return to the NRL after a twoyear absence next year after completing his commitments with St Helens with an 18- 13 Super League semi final loss to Warrington yesterday.
The 29- year- old has signed for just a year with the Cowboys, and the 2012 Dally M medallist knows the ball is in his court to prove himself.
“It’s a risk for myself going back there ( NRL), in a year I could find myself on the scrap heap,” Barba said recently.
“It’s given me a drive to really prove myself, and hopefully perform like I’ve done over here.”
The perception has been Barba is an ideal stop- gap measure as the Cowboys aggressively pursue Cronulla fullback and Townsville product Holmes on a huge contract from 2020 onward.
But Renouf insists they could forge a dymanic double punch down back for the Cowboys as they look to rebuild from a disappointing 2018, where they missed finals for the first time in eight years.
However, both will be keen to play fullback and salary cap issues could also prevent them joining forces.
“We all know what Benny can do, and he’s been doing it over there,” Renouf said at the Queensland Murri Carnival in Townsville.
“He’ll have a lot of knockers and I hope he gets here and plays good footy, and all the critics will go away.
“After the season they had they need an injection of spark and he’s from Mackay, I think he’ll fit in really well.
“Val’s shown he can play across the back anywhere. I’m pretty sure they’d find room for both of them.
“If he doesn’t stay here ( Townsville), but I’m sure if he has a good season he will, he’ll be able to at least pick up a decent contract somewhere else.”
The Cowboys are able to officially negotiate with Holmes’ management from November 1. After some initial teething problems, he has established himself as one of the NRL’s best custodians and scored a club record 22 tries for the Sharks this year.
Parramatta Eels livewire Bevan French insists Barba will hit his straps immediately after he helped guide Cronulla to the 2016 title, before being slapped with a 12- match ban by the NRL for testing positive to cocaine.
“I don’t think he’ll miss a beat,” French said. “He was on fire when he was here, he went overseas and didn’t look out of place there. I’m excited to see him back in the NRL.”
VAL’S SHOWN HE CAN PLAY ACROSS THE BACK ANYWHERE. I’M PRETTY SURE THEY’D FIND ROOM FOR BOTH OF THEM. STEVE RENOUF