Ben Barba to make rugby league return this weekend

Drew Darbyshire

Ben Barba is in line to make his return to rugby league this weekend.

The 2018 Steve Prescott Man of Steel winner will play in the Kanaka Proud Cup – an event that honours the history of Queensland’s blackbirded community.

Barba was sacked by North Queensland Cowboys ahead of the NRL season getting underway last year over an altercation with his partner at a Townsville casino.

His partner decided not to press chargers against Barba – but the NRL banned him after reviewing the CCTV footage.

The former St Helens, Canterbury Bulldogs and Cronulla Sharks full-back will play alongside his brother, Marmin, for Mackay this weekend.

The Kanaka Cup is not an NRL sanctioned event, so Barba is free to play in the event.

Since his axing from rugby league, Barba has been playing football and working in a metal factory.

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