The Australian Rugby Union has indicated it will stop Ben Barba from playing for Toulon at the Brisbane Tens because of his NRL drug ban. Barba was released from his NRL contract late last year after testing positive to cocaine four days after the Sharks' premiership win.
Barba has signed a $2.5 million deal to join the French club over the next two-and-a-half seasons, a move he said was also prompted by the need to provide financially for his young family.
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Barba makes shock switch to rugby
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NRL star Ben Barba has signed a deal with French rugby powerhouse Toulon until the end of the season. Vision courtesy Seven Network.
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Barba makes shock switch to rugby
NRL star Ben Barba has signed a deal with French rugby powerhouse Toulon until the end of the season. Vision courtesy Seven Network.
The former Dally M medallist had signed a deal to return to Cronulla this season, but was frustrated in delays in its registration and the time it would take to re-join his Sharks teammates in formal training activities.
ARU boss Bill Pulver said his organisation will act in concert with the NRL CEO Todd Greenberg.
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"There is a sort of an agreement amongst all the codes that if there are existing sanctions in place in one code, and a player chooses to change to another code, the codes always, relentlessly, carry those sanctions across," said Pulver.
"I literally landed this morning so I haven't spoken to Todd (Greenberg) but I promise you Todd and I will be completely aligned on this issue, as he would be if a rugby player was going to rugby league.
"There won't be an issue between the ARU and the NRL, it'll really be an issue that we need to talk - once we understand the sanction in detail - there will be a conversation with the FFR (French National Union) and France who will be responsible for talking to their club and if the sanction does not allow him to play rugby league in Australia next weekend, he won't be playing rugby union in Australia next weekend."
Duco Events, the organisers of the Brisbane Tens tournament, were keen for Barba to make his rugby debut for Toulon next week but have played down the ARU ban saying it is "not a big deal".
"We've got 300-plus players at this tournament so losing one that was never there in the first place is not a big deal," Duco Events co-owner Dean Lonergan said.
"We haven't really lost anything.
"Ben Barba would have been a curiosity factor.
"I was mildly looking forward to it but am I disappointed he is not going to be there? Not really."
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.
Barba's career has been at the crossroads ever since he registered a positive test to cocaine following Cronulla's grand final celebrations. The 27 year old formally apologised for those actions in a statement issued by his management firm, Pacific Sports Management.
"I take full responsibility for my actions, I made a terrible mistake and I own it and will have to live it," Barba said.
"I have four young daughters which will one day ask the question about how I won a grand final with my best mates at the Sharks and then made a poor choice which changed my life and my reputation forever, that is a hard conversation I am not looking forward to".
Barba, who has been struggling financially without an income since being stood down, said he had been in career limbo since his transgression.
"In regard to the NRL and Sharks handling of my matter I will say that until yesterday afternoon I had no 'clear pathway' outlined to me of how I was entering back into rugby league," Barba said.
"A phone call from NRL CEO Todd Greenberg provided me for the first time since October a clear picture of my position which I thank Todd for taking the time to contact me and discuss it, also I openly provided him with my current circumstances.
"The fact is I am a father of four little girls and like other fathers I am the primary income earner for my family. Since October, I have been unemployed and I have financial commitments like any other father, I am a professional athlete with a set of skills which I can't earn a living from in this country and I needed a job.
"It was advised that my contract with the Sharks was not going to be registered until just before round 12 which placed the club in a difficult position regarding their financial position and if or how I may earn an income through this period. I understand I placed myself in this position and again apologise to the club and all those including my family for the trouble I have caused.
"I decided last week I needed to make some choices and stop leaving it in the hands of other people [Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan and CEO Lyall Gorman].
"I spoke with my agents Chris and Gavin Orr and asked what my options were, they investigated all possible options and Toulon and Mike Ford seemed the best fit for me. I am happy with my decision and I am very much looking forward to the challenge and the new chapter in my life. It's a fresh start and hopefully a successful one, I wish my teammates at the Sharks all the very best for the 2017 season.
"'Au revoir' everyone, thanks for the memories and who knows I may return down the track you never say never."
The NRL has no jurisdiction over the French Top 14 competition, allowing Barba to resume his footballing career almost immediately.
Barba, who wanted to set the record straight after being caught "off guard" when approached by reporters at his home, thanked Cronulla for their support during his stint in the Shire.
"I would first like to thank Shane, Lyall and the entire Cronulla Sharks Football club for everything they have done for both my family and I," he said.
"It is certainly appreciated and won't be forgotten.
"To the rugby league fans and community please believe me when I say rugby league has given me everything and I owe rugby league and the many fans, volunteers and administrators for the tremendous work they do as without them I would never have had the privilege to play rugby league at the highest levels."
with AAP
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