Ben Barba sacked by North Queensland Cowboys

Ben Barba has been sacked by NRL side North Queensland Cowboys after what has been described as a ‘significant breach of the terms of his contract’.

The 29-year was yet to play a game for the Cowboys but has been released following an alleged altercation in a Townsville casino.

Super League’s 2018 Man of Steel winner joined the NRL side in the off-season after scoring 31 tries in 29 games for the Saints.

However, he has had a chequered disciplinary history in the past, having been sacked by Cronulla Sharks in 2016 after testing positive for cocaine, before moving to French rugby union side Toulon.

North Queensland chairman Laurence Lancini said: “When a player joins the North Queensland Cowboys he agrees to abide by the terms of the contract.

“After an internal investigation, it has been determined that this player has acted in contradiction to both the terms and the spirit of that agreement.

“Accordingly, the club has terminated his contract and has informed the NRL’s Integrity Unit.”