Disgraced NRL star Ben Barba is on the verge of shock return to rugby league in a VERY surprising city two years after he was blacklist over domestic violence allegations
- Ben Barba, 31, could play in historic North American Rugby League competition
- The 2012 Dally M Medallist was a freakish talent, but off-field he struggled
- Historic NARL kicks-off in June, Barba is looking to sign for New York franchise
- Barba needs to convince competition directors he is rehabilitated before playing
Fallen footy star Ben Barba is on the verge of a shock return to rugby league years after being banned by the NRL.
Barba, 31, the Dally M medallist in 2012 when on the books of the Canterbury Bulldogs, has approached a fledgling team in New York.
Management representatives from New York are said to have submitted a formal application to the North American Rugby League board for Barba to play when the competition’s first season kicks off in June.
Should Barba slip up off-field, the club, which will be based in New Jersey, will be forced to handover a monetary bond.
Ben Barba has reached put to the New York franchise to play in the historic North American Rugby League competition
Barba, 31, would be an instant drawcard in the competition, which is set to begin in June
Barba will also need to convince competition directors he is rehabilitated after a string of incidents away from the paddock in a drama-laden career.
‘Ben has approached us and we would have to consider the positives and negatives of whether he could be signed,’ the NARL said, according to the Daily Telegraph.
A decision is expected over the next few days, with Barba the instant top drawcard in the US if his request to play is approved.
The inaugural competition will feature teams from the likes of Atlanta, Brooklyn, Boston, Cleveland, Las Vegas, New York, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington.
Former Souths, Wests Tigers and Gold Coast journeyman prop Eddy Pettybourne has already inked a deal with Brooklyn, with all clubs required to finalise their rosters by June 1.
At this peak, Ben Barba was viewed as one of the best players in the NRL – (he is pictured with partner Ainslie Currie after winning the Dally M Medal in 2012)
Barba’s rap sheet makes for grim reading, and the upstart footy franchise would be understandably apprehensive given his previous behaviour, despite his obvious star quality when lacing up the boots.
In 2019, he was sacked by the North Queensland Cowboys before even playing a game for the club following domestic violence allegations.
At the time it was alleged Barba threw rocks at his partner Ainslie Currie outside a Townsville Casino.
Three years earlier, he was banned for 12 games after testing positive for cocaine a few days after Cronulla won their maiden NRL premiership.
And when playing for Canterbury from 2009-2013, allegations of domestic violence emerged against Ms Currie, as well as Barba seeking professional help for alcohol and gambling issues.
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