St Helens full-back Ben Barba vows to finish on a high after confirming return to Australia
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Loading... - Miley Levesque
- 25 Sep 2021
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St Helens full-back Ben Barba has pledged to finish his Super League career with a flourish after finally confirming his return to Australia.
The 29-year-old has been continually linked with a move back to the NRL all season and will link up with North Queensland Cowboys.
An emotional Barba - who was banned when he first joined St Helens after testing positive for cocaine - made the announcement at the club’s end of season awards, and now aims to lift the Super League title at Old Trafford.
Barba said: “Playing in England and St Helens in particular has been a wonderful experience for myself and my family.
“I cannot thank the club, fans and most importantly chairman Eamonn McManus, CEO Mike Rush, coach Justin Holbrook , my teammates and their families on how they welcomed me and my family into the club.
“They supported me when I needed it most and I am appreciative of the understanding and compassion in allowing me to return home.
“I want to finish the season off playing my best football for the club and fans and hopefully capping off a successful season.”
Barba started the season in blistering form before struggling during a spell when Saints were dumped out of the Challenge Cup by Catalans and briefly stumbled in the league.
But with the League Leaders’ Shield now confirmed and Barba scoring twice in Saturday’s emphatic win over up-coming semi-final opponents Warrington, coach Holbrook is also keen to finish on a high.
Holbrook said: “Benny has been fantastic for us this season.
“From round one to 16 he was brilliant, but he picked up some niggling injuries which has hampered him over the last 10 or so weeks. He is now over those and wants to finish the year strong.
“We would have loved to have kept Ben for next season but he wants to return home and to the NRL. It is hard to stop that from happening but it hasn’t affected himself or the team with this decision.
“I would like to personally thank Ben for his rugby league brain and the skills he has shown this season.
“I know he has really enjoyed his season at St Helens - you don’t play as good as he has if you haven’t been enjoying playing in this team and at this club.
“I wish him all the best for his future. We now look forward to the rest of the season.”
Chairman McManus confirmed the clubs has secured a transfer fee for Barba, who was contracted for next year, and that an NRL replacement will be signed with current Cowboys no.1 Lachlan Coote strongly linked with Saints in recent weeks.
McManus added: “Benny made a hugely positive impact upon his arrival at St Helens and both the club and the Super League competition have each benefitted accordingly.
“It’s now his intention to finish the season as he started it. We wish him and his family every luck for the future.”
