How Good was Ben Barba Actually?

Ben Barba was one of the most thrilling players during his rugby league career with unmatched speed, footwork and skill - but after a failed drugs test he was released from his Cronulla Sharks contracts and banned from the NRL...
After a failed move to rugby union, he went to the English Super League and joined St. Helens, in the 2018 season he won the Man-of-Steel, scoring 28 tries in 23 games with the Saints winning the regular season - he's only the second player to win both Man-of-Steel (UK) and Dally M (Aus) awards
He was incredible in his sole full season in England, no defence could handle him from any area of the field, he was untouchable as seen in these highlights - this earned him a move back to the NRL where he would once again find controversy and find himself sacked before playing a game.
Despite his off-the-field wrongs and trouble, on the pitch, he was an outstanding player.

[@Wh4py]

One of a few to win Daly M and Man of Steel.

[@grrreatdays6788]

He was one of the best overseas player ever coming to our super league!!! And I’m not talking about off the field!!!!

[@LittleOwl2003]

Unfortunately, similarly to Jarryd Hayne, his career is tainted by abuse, doesn’t take anything away from him as a player however. He was actually how I was introduced to Rugby League when the clip of his ridiculous put down against the Newcastle Knights in the NRL went viral in 2011. He is one of the most uniquely skilled players of the past decade or so and it shows, a Daly M award and a Grand final win with Cronulla shows that despite some attitude problems, he was a phenomenal player

[@yessirrr5182]

That was 2013 wasn't it lol

[@PAULTAVAI]

Everyone has his own mountain to climb weakness in life. Who are we to judge others life . We fall we get up again we do what we love Everyone has there own struggles Great video though!

[@deandretucker2747]

greatest talent ever!

[@Hayesidentitycrisis]

He’s playing local league now in FNQ

[@macflow14]

What’s the team name?

[@yessirrr5182]

Best player ever

[@irieapakau4212]

Great player back in his junior days and the Bulldogs.

[@rommelsaint8869]

What a talent he was that went to waste......................Loved his year at Saints

[@user-hc4zw2rl3e]

Still got it😥

[@cozzyinternet4706]

is he still playing Rugby League?? I haven't haven't heard about him in a very long time!!

[@stoneagepig3768]

You joking or is it a serious question? He's a drunk and a women beater, threw his career/life down the pan. Left Australia for saints because he was sacked and no-one in the NRL would touch him. He apparently did a lot of work to sort out his problems while at saints and because of that and his performances for St Helens that season he got signed by North Queensland. He was sacked by North Queensland pre-season because he was arrested yet again for beating the crap out of his missus and being back on the bottle. Last I heard was a few years ago and he was labouring on building sites and he's got nobody to blame but himself unfortunately

[@ARandomGuy24]

Playing some local league now.

[@cozzyinternet4706]

@@ARandomGuy24 in Australia??

[@mooks15]

Would he come back to NRL if tempted

[@DrunkenPound]

Are these old highlights ?

[@GooseStep1444]

2017

[@PaniKahukiwa-ob5jm]

He should have stayed in Britain. Unless he was released but all I seen was him carving up

[@GooseStep1444]

He left Saints to rejoin the NRL but was released before playing a game for Cowboys

[@rhyssanders9122]

Too bad he turned out as a massive flog, if youve seen the bodycam vid

[@tyzon00800]

Footy or drinking 😂😂😂😂😂

[@kristoffs373]

Not a good look for super league. He's literally taking the piss

[@GooseStep1444]

This is from 2018 and they got knocked out the play-offs in the semi-finals

[@meekjohn3775]

He also took the piss out of the nrl 🤣🤣🤣

[@tsherwood2112]

I have no sympathy for him. It's really easy to just... not commit domestic violence. Him and Hayne can rot in jail forever for all I care

[@larrybirdisblack789]

Haters gonna hate😂🎉

[@tsherwood2112]

@@larrybirdisblack789 he was a talented player. But it doesn't matter if you're the goat in your sport, you still can't do what he did

[@larrybirdisblack789]

@@tsherwood2112 ok Mr perfect lol

[@2CanVanDam-w7t]

Are these recent clips or no?

[@GooseStep1444]

No, from his man-of-steel season with St Helens in 2017

[@2CanVanDam-w7t]

@@GooseStep1444 thanks bro