French rugby giants Toulon have announced that banned NRL premiership-winning fullback Ben Barba will switch codes and play for them for the rest of the Top 14 season.
“Ben Barba will arrive in Toulon next week,” read a statement on Toulon’s website.
Two weeks ago, Cronulla re-signed Barba only two months after his contract was terminated by the Sharks following a positive test to cocaine.
The 27-year-old was hit with a 12-match ban in November as a result of the second positive sample he returned under the NRL’s illicit drug policy.
Barba signed a one-year contract for the 2017 season but the deal is yet to be ratified by the NRL.
If he’s cleared to return, Barba would be available for the Sharks in mid-May.
Toulon’s last regular-season match is against Pau on May 6, but they’ll be well backed to make a run deep into the finals which culminate with the Top 14 decider on June 4.
Barba will join fellow Australians Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, James O’Connor and Liam Gill at Toulon.
Three-time European Cup champions Toulon sit fifth on the Top 14 table and last weekend’s 23-20 home defeat to La Rochelle reportedly left club president Mourad Boudjellal fuming.
They have nine regular-season matches remaining as well as having already qualified for the quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup.
Toulon expect Barba to vie for the fullback jersey but added that he can cover across nearly every other backline position.
Barba helped Cronulla win their first NRL title last year before being suspended after testing positive for cocaine.
He spent time at a rehabilitation clinic in Thailand.
Marto
Guest
Sounds ok to me AussieIrish... I hate fairyball and handball..
Marto
Guest
Once Mourad Boudjellal realizes all the best backs in oz are in the NRL ..Look out
Marto
Guest
Barba would be sensational as a 12 outside QUADE and Kerevi at 13 in the Walllbies DHP FB Folau wing Sefa other wing.Genia scrumhalf
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I can understand the NRL's view. In years gone by when league was an English winter sport, suspended players would there and sign with a club then serve their suspension there so they start back here with a clean slate.
Baz
Guest
It depends on if it's a wada code voilation they could push for him to be temp banned from all sports for what he has taken. Are french rugby part of the WADA code if not nothing can be done.
Rick Diznek
Guest
NRL confirmed today what I said above. Could have set your watch by it. Take your medicine you louse.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
From what I understand the NRL were hesitant to register him with the Sharks for 350 over one year after he was just sacked by them on a contract in the final year worth 700 or so and that the Sharks were still trying to get the ban reduced in some way. I'd say all three parties have a good case to shoulder some blame but I'd put the majority of it at Barbas feet, maybe 50%. 30% Sharks for being sneaky. And 20% on the NRL for being slow and non transparent. At the end of the day everything that's happening to Barba right now in one way or another is his own fault. That's not to say he's committed some horrible crime or anything because I couldn't care less what he puts inside himself after a GF win. I just don't like the way this has played out and I'd argue that while the NRL were (are) slow about these things it should be noted that the Sharks haven't made things easy and it's also not Cronullas only shady business they've tried to conduct in terms of playing contracts just this year.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
NRL stated today (or at least it's being reported) that they're willing to register his contract however the ban won't begin until his commitments to Toulon are finished. Which would basically rub him out until the finals. Which would mean the Sharks will be paying him 350k to play French rugby and maybe be back in time for a semi final (assuming they make it to one of course).
Rick Diznek
Guest
Hardly backfired. His attempt at trickery has backfired.
Rick Diznek
Guest
It sure is - highly delusional as well... Thanks though for sticking up for him. How is Warriorville treating you?
Shane D
Roar Rookie
$
Jacko
Guest
Hard to blame Barba. In the interveiw I saw, he said that the NRL have not contacted him for almost 3 months now and his management cant get any answers from the NRL. Based on that he just wants to look after his family and earn a living. If the NRL continue to deliberately delay these diciplinary decisions as long as they want to when there is no reason for the delays then people need to know where they stand and whether they can have a job or not. Also Cronulla didnt have to sack him, but they thought it was a good way to get around the salary cap. They could have worn the 12 weeks suspension and fined him $200k but they wanted it all in their favor and it would appear its backfired
Jacko
Guest
Its his fantasy Dic nic
Redbull
Guest
So that explains why Australian rugby players are comfortable there
Cadfael
Roar Guru
An interesting thought is that from the date the 12 match penalty was handed down, if he has signed for Toulon, would the ban take effect from the decision which would mean that by the time he plays for Toulon, the ban would have ended? Generally, both codes accept suspension periods issued by the other code.
Rick Diznek
Guest
Backdate your comments to Vichy and you're getting closer
Rick Diznek
Guest
His suspension will start once his contract is ratified. Good luck with that happening while he is playing rah rah.
Rick Diznek
Guest
Nice little fantasy you've created there Katcrap
Mike Julz
Guest
He should slot in easily at wing. I don't think he can handle the fullback duties in Union.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
I don't really know the answer to the question, except possibly for them to delay the ban until he is back and registered with an NRL club (ie: start the ban in May).