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Ben Barba has left the door ajar on a possible NRL comeback in the future but claimed the lack of a "clear pathway" on a 2017 return ultimately resulted in his defection to rugby union.

The NRL has a new salary cap auditor after the man at the helm during the Parramatta investigation took up a new role at head office.

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On Thursday morning, Ben Barba informed Cronulla officials he will follow through on his plans to join Toulon, inking a $2.5 million deal to join the French rugby side for the next two and a bit seasons.

They hold the key to reviving the Sydney Roosters following the pitfalls of 2016 and now Luke Keary and Mitchell Pearce are coming together like clockwork.

​Cronulla boss Lyall Gorman admits the club is resigned to losing wantaway star Ben Barba to rugby union, less than two weeks after re-signing him on a one-year extension.

The Auckland Nines may be a pre-season party but tensions are high around a vital CEO meeting as clubs continue to press for information on the salary cap for 2018 and beyond.

Paul McGregor is fully aware he may not be employed at St George Illawarra long enough to coach Ben Hunt.

Melbourne Storm have suffered their first major recruiting blow of 2017 with star New Zealand international Tohu Harris signing a four-year deal with the New Zealand Warriors.

AUCKLAND: Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will take over from Ryan Hoffman as the NRL team's captain in 2017.

Parramatta have fined Peni Terepo $15,000 and suspended him from the first three matches of the NRL season after the prop was convicted of careless driving in New Zealand.

Melbourne Storm will send a very young team to the Auckland Nines but they still have high expectations for the annual tournament.

The king of the Auckland Nines will tone down his participation in this year's event in the hope of securing an even greater title - king of the NRL.

Kyle Lovett's night on the town started at The Ivy nightclub, and ended in an alley being strip-searched by police.

This is the mystery man who could hold the key to Wests Tigers retaining their off-contract superstars.

​St George Illawarra are embracing the heat on them and coach Paul McGregor, declaring they deserve any criticism that's coming their way.

The NRL season begins in a month, so you've still got plenty of time to set up your Ultimate League – and it couldn't be easier.

• COMMENT

With everything else happening about the place, the subtle changes in the relationship between the rugby codes over the past few months – driven by individual players and clubs – might not be immediately apparent.

Ben Barba's code switch to rugby union in France while serving an NRL suspension will benefit the Cronulla fullback, Sharks forward Chris Heighington says.

Ben Barba has made a shock switch to rugby after French club Toulon announced it had signed the troubled star for the remainder of its season.