View source for Ben Barba

{{short description|Australian former rugby league footballer}}
{{pp-pc1}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
| name            = Ben Barba
| image           = Ben Barba.jpg
| fullname        = Benjamin Barba
| birth_date      = {{birth date and age|1989|06|13|df=y}}
| birth_place     = [[Darwin, Northern Territory]], Australia
| height          = {{convert|176|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/little-men-in-rugby-league-appear-to-be-a-dying-breed/story-e6frep5o-1226320684470|title=Little Men in Rugby League Appear to be a Dying Breed|website=Couriermail.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=6 April 2012}}</ref>
| weight          = {{convert|91|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
| position        = {{Rlp|FB|FE}}
| club1           = [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs|Canterbury Bulldogs]]
| year1start      = 2008
| year1end        = 13
| appearances1    = 97
| tries1          = 72
| goals1          = 0
| fieldgoals1     = 0
| points1         = 288
| club2           = [[Brisbane Broncos]]
| year2start      = 2014
| year2end        = 
| appearances2    = 25
| tries2          = 8
| goals2          = 0
| fieldgoals2     = 0
| points2         = 32
| club3           = [[Cronulla Sharks]]
| year3start      = 2015
| year3end        = 16
| appearances3    = 46
| tries3          = 19
| goals3          = 0
| fieldgoals3     = 0
| points3         = 76
| club4           = [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]]
| year4start      = 2017
| year4end        = 18
| appearances4    = 34
| tries4          = 34
| goals4          = 0
| fieldgoals4     = 0
| points4         = 136
| teamA           = [[Indigenous All-Stars (rugby league)|Indigenous All Stars]]
| yearAstart      = 2011
| yearAend        = 16
| appearancesA    = 6
| triesA          = 4
| goalsA          = 0
| fieldgoalsA     = 0
| pointsA         = 16
| teamB           = [[Prime Minister's XIII]]
| yearBstart      = 2011
| yearBend        =
| appearancesB    = 1
| triesB          = 0
| goalsB          = 0
| fieldgoalsB     = 0
| pointsB         = 0
| ru_position     = [[Centre (rugby union)|Centre]], [[Wing (rugby union)|Wing]], [[Fullback (rugby union)|Fullback]]
| ru_club1        = [[RC Toulonnais|Toulon]]
| ru_year1start   = 2017
| ru_year1end     =
| ru_appearances1 = 4
| ru_tries1       = 0
| ru_goals1       = 0
| ru_fieldgoals1  = 0
| ru_points1      = 0
| source          = <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/stats/players/Ben-Barba/ |title=Ben Barba – Stats |date=11 November 2017 |website=Love Rugby League |access-date=3 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111094712/https://www.loverugbyleague.com/stats/players/Ben-Barba/ |archive-date=11 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/ben-barba/summary.html |title=Ben Barba – Career Stats & Summary |website=Rugby League Project |access-date=3 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player_14381.html |title=Ben Barba – Player Profile |website=It's Rugby |access-date=3 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.saintsrlfc.com/teams/first-team/ben-barba/ |title=Ben Barba – Saints History |website=St. Helens R.F.C. |access-date=3 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903183026/https://www.saintsrlfc.com/teams/first-team/ben-barba/ |archive-date=3 September 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| updated        = 24 January 2022
}}

'''Benjamin Barba''' (born 13 June 1989)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/454315/barba-shop-knights-in-market-for-dogs-livewire/|title=BARBA SHOP: Knights in market for Dogs livewire|last=Keeble|first=Brett|author2=Jackson, Glenn|date=22 April 2010|work=[[The Newcastle Herald]]|publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]|access-date=26 September 2010}}</ref> is an Australian former professional dual code [[rugby league]] & [[rugby union]] footballer who last played for [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]] in the [[Super League]]. He primarily played as a {{rlp|fb}} or {{rlp|fe}}.

Barba won the [[Dally M Medal]] award for Player of the Year in 2012 while he was at the [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/barbas-shock-quartet/story-e6frfgbo-1226465125933|title=Barba's Shock Quartet|website=Heraldsun.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=4 September 2012}}</ref>

Barba also played for the [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]], the [[Brisbane Broncos]] in 2014 and the [[Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks]] where he was part of Cronulla's maiden NRL premiership win in the [[2016 NRL Grand Final]]. In 2018, he won the [[Man of Steel Awards|Man of Steel]] Award for [[Super League]] Player of the Year while playing for [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]]. Barba is only the second man to win both the Dally M Medal and the Man of Steel award, after [[Gavin Miller]].

Barba also had a brief stint in [[rugby union]] with [[RC Toulonnais]].

==Early years==
Barba was born in [[Darwin, Northern Territory]], Australia. He is of [[Indigenous Australian|Aboriginal]], [[Afghans|Afghan]], and [[Torres Strait Islanders|Torres Strait Islander]] descent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/i%E2%80%99ll-play-up-front-barba/tabid/10874/newsid/65391/default.aspx|title=I'll play up front: Barba|author=Wall, Nigel|date=4 November 2011|work=NRL.com|access-date=5 November 2011}}</ref>
At a young age, Barba and his family moved from Darwin in the Northern Territory to [[Mackay, Queensland|Mackay]] in Queensland. During his time in Queensland he played all of his junior rugby league for the North Devils, Mackay and attended Mackay State High School and [[St Patrick's College, Mackay]]. He also played Australian Rules at both primary and secondary school competition level in Mackay as a goal kicking forward, though with limited opportunities to participate in the sport, he followed [[Hawthorn Football Club|Hawks]] in the [[Australian Football League]].<ref>[https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/nsw/sydney-excitement-machines-lewis-jetta-and-ben-barba-prepare-to-dazzle-on-anz-turf-ng-47cd76d02355c6055584e5c416813610 Sydney excitement machines Lewis Jetta and Ben Barba prepare to dazzle on ANZ turf]</ref>

==Rugby league career==
Barba signed with the [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs|Bulldogs]] in 2007 at the age of 18 and joined the club in the middle of the 2007 season. In his first season at Belmore, Barba played in the [[Jersey Flegg Cup|Jersey Flegg]] competition, where he scored 130 points in 11 games.<ref>{{cite news|author=Glenn Jackson|publisher=League Unlimited (Faifax Digital)|title=The JT that won't get away: Bulldogs wrap up young gun Barba until end of 2010|url=http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/bulldogs-wrap-up-young-gun-barba-untilend-of-2010/2008/01/08/1199554653980.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|access-date=14 September 2008|date=9 January 2008}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Barba played 26 games, scored 38 tries, kicked 93 goals and two fields goals for 340 points in his U20s career from 2008 to 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://18thman.com/national-youth-competition/players/b/|title=18thman - U20s Player Records|website=18thman.com|date=27 December 2012 }}</ref>

===2008===
In his second season with the Canterbury side, on 9 January 2008, Barba signed a contract extension keeping him at the club till the end of the 2010 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/news/the-jt-that-wont-get-away-bulldogs-wrap-up-young-gun-barba-untilend-of-2010/2008/01/08/1199554653980.html|title=The JT that won't get away: Bulldogs wrap up young gun Barba until end of 2010|website=Theage.com.au|date=26 September 2009|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> Barba played most of the season in the [[National Youth Competition (rugby league)|Toyota Cup Under 20s competition]], scoring 26 tries in 27 games. Canterbury coach [[Steve Folkes]] stated that he was still too young and it would be a couple of years till he would become a first grader. As the season went on, Canterbury kept on losing games and were possibly going to win the wooden spoon resulting in the fans urging that Barba be put into first grade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/barba-to-start-as-folkes-wields-axe/story-e6frexp9-1111116965876|title=Barba to Start as Folkes Wields Axe|website=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref>

Barba made his NRL debut for Canterbury in Round 20, against the [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]] in the same week that [[Sonny Bill Williams]] quit the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-11/roosters-predict-better-than-ever-sonny-bill/4124360|title=Roosters predicting better-than-ever Sonny Bill|work=ABC News|date=11 July 2012}}</ref> They were heavily beaten by [[St. George Illawarra]] 30-0 at [[ANZ Stadium]]. At the time he was called up to first-grade, Barba was working at a car wash.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/ben-barba-from-rags-to-riches/story-e6frexp9-1111117008658|title=Ben Barba from rags to riches|last=Nicolussi|first=Christian|date=25 July 2008|work=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]|publisher=[[News Limited]]|access-date=26 September 2010}}</ref>
Barba played three more games, but all were losses. A 36-12 loss in Round 22 to the other desperate team close to winning the wooden spoon, the [[North Queensland Cowboys]], at [[Suncorp Stadium]], saw Barba scoring his first ever first grade try.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrlnews.com/2008/08/10/cowboys-bulldogs-nrl-round-22/|title=Cowboys break duck and Bulldogs 36-12|publisher=NRL News|date=10 August 2008|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> In the [[2008 NRL season]], Barba played four games and scored a try and was named in the [[2008 NRL Under-20s season|2008 Toyota Cup]] (Under-20s) ''Team of the Year''.<ref>{{cite news|author=James Phelps|newspaper=The Herald Sun|title=Toyota Cup team of the year|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/nrl/story/0,27074,24283799-14823,00.html|access-date=14 September 2008|date=3 September 2008}}</ref>

===2009===
Barba started the season in first grade under new coach [[Kevin Moore (rugby league)|Kevin Moore]]. He played off the interchange bench in Round 1 against the [[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/IgAgaFCRiZ9/NRL+Rd+1+Bulldogs+v+Sea+Eagles/1Uelfd-7V_F/Ben+Barba|title=Ben Barba Pictures - NRL Rd 1 - Bulldogs v Sea Eagles - Zimbio|work=Zimbio}}</ref> On 28 March, the night after Canterbury's Round 3 loss against the [[Gold Coast Titans]] where he had his first start at five-eighth, Barba got into a drunken fight with Canterbury teammates [[Jamal Idris]] and [[Lee Te Maari]] at the [[Wentworthville, New South Wales|Wentworthville]] pub carpark. Idris punched Barba after he shoved Te Maari against a wall.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/bulldogs-scuffle-the-full-story/story-e6frexni-1225697662771|title=Bulldogs Scuffle|website=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=30 March 2009}}</ref> After the incident Barba was dropped into [[NSW Cup]] and played for the [[Sydney Bulls|Bankstown City Bulls]] until Round 18 against the [[New Zealand Warriors]] at [[Mt Smart Stadium]]. The match was a memorable one for Barba and for the club. Canterbury were down 14-12 with a couple of minutes to go, then the Bulldogs made a break and Barba received a pass from [[Ben Roberts (rugby league)|Ben Roberts]] before stepping and diving over for the winning try in Canterbury's  18-14 win. Barba eventually played the rest of the season in reserve grade. He played in Canterbury's NSW Cup Grand Final Premiership 32-0 win over the [[Balmain Ryde Eastwood Tigers]] where he scored a hat trick of tries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/ben-barba-hat-trick-leads-bulls-to-victory-in-nsw-cup-grand-final/story-e6frfgbo-1225782617168|title=Ben Barba Hat Trick Leads Bulls to Victory in NSW Cup Grand Final|website=Heraldsun.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=4 October 2009}}</ref> Barba finished the [[2009 NRL season|season]] with one try from 4 games.

===2010===
Barba started the season as a regular first grade player. In Round 3 against the [[Sydney Roosters]], Barba came off the interchange bench and scored a hat trick of tries in the Canterbury club's 60-14 massacre win at ANZ Stadium, earning "The X-Factor" tag after his exciting performance in the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/moores-spray-turns-mutts-into-the-hounds-of-hell-20100328-r58u.html|title=Moore's spray turns mutts into the hounds of hell|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=28 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Ben+Barba/NRL+Rd+3+Bulldogs+v+Roosters/NdCAaQqmSfY|title=Ben Barba Photos - NRL Rd 3 - Bulldogs v Roosters - Zimbio|work=Zimbio}}</ref> In Round 5, Barba scored a sensational try when halftime was approaching in the Bulldogs heartbreaking try on full-time 30-24 loss to the [[New Zealand Warriors]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/moore-furious-after-warriors-knock-the-dogs-down-at-death-20100411-s00u.html|title=Canterbury Bulldogs New Zealand Warriors|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=11 April 2010}}</ref> In Round 11, Barba started for the first time in the [[2010 NRL season|season]] at {{rlp|hb}} in Canterbury's 31-16 loss against the [[Penrith Panthers]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Will Swanton|url=http://www.theage.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/penrith-on-top-but-still-a-long-way-to-go-20100525-w800.html|title=Penrith on top, but still a long way to go|publisher=Theage.com.au|date=25 May 2010|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> Barba finished Canterbury's low performing season with him playing in 21 matches and scoring 15 tries, being Canterbury's standout player.

===2011===
At the beginning of the [[2011 NRL season|season]], on 12 February, Barba made his representative debut for the [[Indigenous All-Stars (rugby league)|Indigenous All Stars]] in the [[2011 All Stars Match]]. He scored his first ever representative try in the match where they lost to the [[NRL All Stars team|NRL All Stars]] 28-12 at [[Cbus Super Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-all-stars-see-off-indigenous-side-28-12-at-skilled-park/story-e6frep5x-1226005085416|title=NRL All Stars See Off Indigenous Side 28-12|website=Couriermail.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=12 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/8h32i3LmUWQ/Indigenous+Stars+v+NRL+Stars/iqONSYnfunY|title=Indigenous All Stars v NRL All Stars|work=Zimbio}}</ref> With the departure of former Canterbury and NSW Country fullback [[Luke Patten]] to English club the [[Salford Red Devils|Salford City Reds]], Barba became Canterbury's new full-time {{rlp|fb}}. In Round 6, Barba scored a [[hat-trick]] of tries in Canterbury's 34-14 win over the [[Parramatta Eels]] at ANZ Stadium. The second try came with 49 seconds of the first half remaining, from a move starting in his team's own half and finishing with Barba taking a pass from [[Jamal Idris]], jumping up and twisting the ball round to touch down just inside the in-goal area, as two Parramatta defenders tried to force him out into touch. His shoulder touching the corner post in the process, with the corner post no longer being part of the touch in-goal area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/barba-takes-the-razor-to-eels/story-e6frexni-1226040010281|title=Barba Takes the Razor to Eels|website=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=15 April 2011}}</ref>

It was announced on 20 July that Barba had signed a contract extension at the Canterbury club until the end of the 2015 season.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bulldogs.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=39468&title=barba-a-bulldog-through-to-2015 |title=Archived copy |access-date=20 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404030917/http://www.bulldogs.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display |archive-date=4 April 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/ben-barba-re-signs-with-bulldogs-until-2015/story-e6frfgbo-1226098469567|title=Ben Barba Re-Signs with Bulldogs Until 2015|website=Heraldsun.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=20 July 2011}}</ref> In Round 25, Barba scored two tries in the 32-22 win against the [[Newcastle Knights]] in a thrilling second half comeback after they were trailing 22-6 at halftime. Barba scored a try when he chased down a [[Jonathan Wright (rugby league)|Jonathan Wright]] cross over kick which was going to go over the dead ball line before Baraba reached out his arms and placed the ball down millimetres away from the deal ball line.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/live-bulldogs-v-knights/story-e6frep5x-1226123461051|title=Live Bulldogs v Knights|website=Couriermail.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=27 August 2011}}</ref> In Round 26, with Canterbury just missing out of a top eight spot, Barba scored a mercurial four tries in the 36-22 win against the [[Canberra Raiders]] at ANZ Stadium in retiring Canterbury captain and second rower [[Andrew Ryan (rugby league)|Andrew Ryan]] last ever game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/live-bulldogs-v-raiders/story-e6frexnr-1226129100199|title=Live Bulldogs v Raiders|website=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=4 September 2011}}</ref> Barba finished the year with him playing in 24 matches and scoring 23 tries, being the season's equal top try scorer with [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]] winger [[Nathan Merritt]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/05/ben-barba-admits-nrl-try-scoring-nerves/|title=Ben Barba admits scoring nerves|publisher=The Roar|date=5 September 2011|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> Barba played on the interchange bench in the [[Prime Minister's XIII]] squad to play against [[Papua New Guinea national rugby league team|Papua New Guinea]] at the end of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsfan.com.au/hindmarsh-to-lead-pms-xiii-against-png/tabid/91/newsid/77237/default.aspx|title=Hindmarsh to lead PM's XIII against PNG|work=Sport - Australian Sport - SportsFan|access-date=9 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924104905/http://www.sportsfan.com.au/hindmarsh-to-lead-pms-xiii-against-png/tabid/91/newsid/77237/default.aspx|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2012===
Barba began the year by playing for the NRL [[Indigenous All-Stars (rugby league)|Indigenous All Stars]] team in the [[2012 All Stars match]] where the Indigenous Team lost 36-28.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl-all-stars-win-arthur-beetson-trophy-in-thriller/story-e6frg7mf-1226262783881|title=NRL All Stars Win Arthur Beetson Trophy in Thriller|newspaper=The Australian|date=4 February 2012|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> Barba earned himself a selection into the 25-man Queensland State of Origin squad, named as [[Queensland rugby league team|their]] 19th man in the lead up to Game II of the [[2012 State of Origin series|2012 series]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnews.com.au/nrl/hasler-delighted-by-barbas-maroons-link/37973|title=Hasler delighted by Barba's Maroons link|work=Sports News Australia}}</ref> but did not play in any games. In Round 16 against the [[Melbourne Storm]] at [[Virgin Australia Stadium]] in [[Mackay, Queensland|Mackay]], in front his own hometown crowd, Barba set the 2012 try of the year for teammate Josh Morris. Barba fielded a Storm kick only one metre from the dead ball line, then evaded his opposition beating six defenders and ran 70 metres down field before centre kicking for Morris to score next to the posts for what was a 109-metre try.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-match-report/barba-puts-on-show-for-the-family-20120624-20w5t.html|title=Barba puts on show for the family|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=24 June 2012}}</ref> On 4 September, Barba was awarded the 2012 [[Dally M Medal]].<ref>{{cite news|last=[[News Limited]]|title=All the Dally M winners plus galleries|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/fans-believe-ben-barba-will-score-a-runaway-win-in-the-dally-m-award/story-e6frfgbo-1226465030839|access-date=5 September 2012|newspaper=[[Herald Sun]]|date=4 September 2012}}</ref> In addition he won the 'Peter Frilingos Headline Moment of the Year', the Provan-Summons Medal as 'People's Choice' Player of the Year as well as being named Fullback of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/the-nrl-team-of-the-year-is-named-at-the-gala-dally-m-awards-ceremony-in-sydney/story-fn2mcuj6-1226465085530|title=The NRL Team of the Year is Named|website=Foxsports.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/top-trys-for-2012-season/story-fndujljl-1226472912299|title=Top tries for 2012 season|work=NewsComAu}}</ref> After the Canterbury side won their first two final matches they made into the [[2012 NRL Grand Final]] against the [[Melbourne Storm]] on 30 September. Barba played at fullback and had a try disallowed in Canterbury's 14-4 loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-grand-final-bulldogs-v-storm/story-fndujljl-1226484701474|title=Melbourne Storm beat Canterbury Bulldogs in 2012 NRL grand final|work=NewsComAu|access-date=8 November 2014|archive-date=24 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124000724/http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-grand-final-bulldogs-v-storm/story-fndujljl-1226484701474|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/our-player-ratings-for-the-nrl-grand-final-between-canterbury-and-the-melbourne-storm/story-e6frfgbo-1226484848217|title=Our Player Ratings for the NRL Grand Final Between Canterbury and Melbourne Storm|website=Heraldsun.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=30 September 2012}}</ref> Barba finished [[2012 NRL season|season]] as the Canterbury club's and the NRL's top try scorer with 22 tries in 27 matches.

===2013===
On 9 February 2013, Barba played for the NRL [[Indigenous All-Stars (rugby league)|Indigenous All Stars]] team in the [[2013 All Stars match]] where he scored a first half hat trick of tries and was awarded the [[Preston Campbell]] Medal as the man of the match in the Indigenous Team 32-6 win over the [[NRL All Stars team|NRL All Stars]] at [[Suncorp Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/live-indigenous-all-stars-v-nrl-all-stars-at-suncorp-stadium/story-fndujljl-1226574515914|title=REPLAY: Indigenous All Stars 32 d NRL All Stars 6 at Suncorp Stadium|work=NewsComAu|access-date=9 November 2014|archive-date=13 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813134743/http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/live-indigenous-all-stars-v-nrl-all-stars-at-suncorp-stadium/story-fndujljl-1226574515914|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 25 February 2013, Barba was stood down indefinitely from player duties at the Canterbury club due to behavioural issues and for breaches of the club's code of conduct as a result of his off-field behaviour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/bulldogs-suspend-superstar-barba/story-e6frexnr-1226584977056|title=Bulldogs Suspend Superstar Barba|website=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=25 February 2013}}</ref> Barba had numerous personal issues to resolve before being allowed to play again for Canterbury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-25/bulldogs-ceo-throws-support-behind-ben-barber/4538960?section=sport|title=Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg says Ben Barba needs help to get his life back on track|work=ABC Grandstand Sport|date=25 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-25/barba-stood-down-by-bulldogs/4537862?section=sport|title=Barba stood down to deal with his demons|work=ABC Grandstand Sport|date=25 February 2013}}</ref> Barba returned to action for Canterbury in Round 4 and scored his first try of the season in their 17-12 loss to the [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]] at [[ANZ Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/canterbury-bankstown-bulldogs-fullback-ben-barba-ready-for-big-return-against-south-sydney-rabbitohs/story-e6frg6n6-1226606518372|title=Bulldogs Fullback Ben Barba Ready for Big Return Against Rabbitohs|newspaper=The Australian|date=25 March 2013|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/slideshowajax/newslideshowleague/294884/rabbitohs-ruin-ben-barbas-return.slideshow|title=Rabbitohs ruin Ben Barba's return|website=Wwos.ninemsn.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109032646/http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/slideshowajax/newslideshowleague/294884/rabbitohs-ruin-ben-barbas-return.slideshow|archive-date=9 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In Round 20, Barba suffered first ever first grade NRL injury causing him to require time and therapy off the field during Canterbury's 40-12 win against the [[Parramatta Eels]] at [[ANZ Stadium]]. Barba suffered the ankle injury scoring a try.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-match-report/barba-to-miss-five-weeks-with-ankle-injury-20130726-2qqbz.html|title=Ben Barba to miss five NRL matches with ankle injury|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=26 July 2013}}</ref> On 28 August, while still on injury, Barba asked for a release from the Bulldogs due to his ambition to play for the [[Brisbane Broncos]] since he and his family are from Queensland. Barba transferred for a three-year deal starting in February 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/canterbury-have-released-ben-barba-from-his-contract-clearing-his-way-to-become-a-bronco/story-e6frf3pu-1226705764546|title=Canterbury Have Released Ben Barba From His Contract Clearing His Way to Become a Bronco|website=Foxsports.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=28 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/broncos-should-pay-transfer-fee-for-ben-barba-says-steve-mortimer/story-fnca0von-1226685257655|title=Broncos Should Pay Transfer Fee for Ben Barba Says Steve Mortimer|newspaper=The Australian|date=25 July 2013|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/the-real-reason-ben-barba-is-heading-north/story-fni3g67w-1226708326427|title=The Real Reason Ben Barba is Heading North|website=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=September 2013}}</ref> This led to an ankle adjustment surgery in early December ready for the new season in early March 2014 with the [[Brisbane Broncos]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/ben-barba-injury-to-keep-him-out-of-brisbane-broncos-pre-season-as-corey-parker-faces-reality/story-fni3gv5x-1226724368830|title=Ben Barba Injury to Keep Him Out of Brisbane Broncos Pre-Season as Corey Parker Faces Reality|website=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=21 September 2013}}</ref> Barba returned for the Canterbury side in the last regular game of the season in Round 26 against the club he signed with the [[Brisbane Broncos]], playing off the interchange bench in Canterbury's 16-11 loss at [[Suncorp Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-match-report/barbas-return-fails-to-help-bulldogs-hold-out-fastfinishing-broncos-20130905-2t8em.html|title=Barba's return fails to help Bulldogs hold out fast-finishing Broncos|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=5 September 2013}}</ref> Barba played last game for Canterbury-Bankstown in the Finals Week 1 match against the [[Newcastle Knights]] where in the 50th minute, Barba was stretchered off from the field due to his ankle problem in their season ending 22-6 loss at [[ANZ Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-match-report/newcastle-knights-tame-bulldogs-as-barba-suffers-serious-leg-injury-20130915-2tsnk.html|title=Newcastle Knights tame Bulldogs as Barba suffers serious leg injury|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=15 September 2013}}</ref> Barba finished his last year with the [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]] in the [[2013 NRL season]] with him playing in 17 matches and scoring 10 tries.

===2014===
On 14 February 2014, Barba was selected in the [[Brisbane Broncos|Broncos]] inaugural [[2014 NRL Auckland Nines]] squad, putting on his Brisbane jersey for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/squads-auckland-nines/|title=SQUADS FOR AUCKLAND NINES|work=Rugby League Week|access-date=9 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115214258/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/squads-auckland-nines/|archive-date=15 January 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In Round 1 of the [[2014 NRL season|2014 season]], Barba made his club debut for the [[Brisbane Broncos|Broncos]] against his former club the [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]] with him assisting in a try for [[Dale Copley]] in Brisbane's 18-12 win at [[ANZ Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/gritty-brisbane-broncos-buck-off-canterburybankstown-bulldogs-in-sydney-clash/story-fni3fbgz-1226848361897|title=Gritty Broncos Buck Off Bulldogs in Sydney|website=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=7 March 2014}}</ref> After the match Barba was subjected to racism on [[Instagram]] from an 18-year-old Canterbury fan and park footballer from [[Dapto, New South Wales|Dapto]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/brisbane-recruit-ben-barba-familys-fury-over-racist-slur-from-junior-league-player/story-fniabjcr-1226850806582|title=Brisbane Recruit Ben Barba Family's Fury over RAcist Slur from Junior League Player|website=Couriermail.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=10 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/the-teenager-who-racially-abused-ben-barba-has-been-stood-down-from-rugby-league-indefinitely/story-e6frf3pc-1226851795819|title=The NRL Team of the Year is Named|website=Foxsports.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> In Round 3 against the [[Sydney Roosters]], Barba played his 100th NRL career match in the Broncos last minute 30-26 loss at [[Suncorp Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/sydney-roosters-score-two-late-tries-to-win-thrilling-contest-against-brisbane-broncos/story-fniabjcr-1226861558172|title=Roosters Score Two Late Tries to Win Thrilling Contest Against Broncos|website=Couriermail.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=21 March 2014}}</ref> In Round 7 against the [[Newcastle Knights]], Barba scored his first try in Brisbane colours in their 32-6 win at [[Hunter Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/it-was-268-days-in-the-making-but-ben-barbas-droughtbreaking-try-unleashed-a-performance-that-made-the-wait-worthwhile/story-e6frf3pc-1226889496029?from=public_rss|title=The NRL Team of the Year is Named|website=Foxsports.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> In Round 19 against the [[New Zealand Warriors]] at [[Suncorp Stadium]], Barba made a switch from fullback to five-eighth with some success assisting the Brisbane side to a 28-22 win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/gutsy-brisbane-broncos-fight-back-to-beat-new-zealand-warriors-in-thriller/story-fniabjcr-1226994539245|title=Gutsy Brisbane Broncos Fight Back to Beat New Zealand warriors in Thriller|website=Couriermail.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=19 July 2014}}</ref> Barba's five-eighth switch continued for the rest of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/barba-set-to-flick-on-switch/tabid/10874/newsid/80616/default.aspx|title=Barba set to flick 'on' switch|work=NRL - The official site of the National Rugby League - NRL.com|date=29 July 2014}}</ref> In Round 24 against the [[Newcastle Knights]] at [[Suncorp Stadium]], Barba scored a [[hat-trick]] of tries in the Brisbane sides 48-6 win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/brisbane-broncos-backs-have-wild-knight-out-against-soft-newcastle/story-fniabm4i-1227034371417|title=Brisbane Broncos Backs Have Wild Knight Out Against Soft Newcastle|website=Couriermail.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=23 August 2014}}</ref> Barba finished the [[2014 NRL season]] with him playing in all the [[Brisbane Broncos]] 25 matches and scoring eight tries in his only year in [[Brisbane, Queensland|Brisbane]]. On 8 November 2014, Barba was told by Broncos incoming coach [[Wayne Bennett (rugby league)|Wayne Bennett]] that his services weren't needed for the 2015 season and was granted permission to search for another club to sign with, the [[Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks]] being the favourites to sign the unwanted fullback and five-eighth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/wayne-bennett-reveals-why-ben-barba-had-to-leave-the-broncos-i-couldnt-lie-to-him/story-fnp0lyn6-1227116340083|title=Wayne bennett Reveals why Ben barba Had to Leave the Broncos|website=Couriermail.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=7 November 2014}}</ref> On 11 November, Barba signed a three-year contract with the [[Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks]] starting in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|author=Michael Chammas|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/cronulla-sharks/ben-barba-signs-with-cronulla-sharks-for-800000-a-season-for-the-next-three-years-20141111-11kln8.html|title=Ben Barba signs with Cronulla Sharks for $800,000 a season for the next three years|publisher=Smh.com.au|date=11 November 2014|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/cronulla-sharks-sign-ben-barba-from-brisbane-broncos-on-a-threeyear-deal/story-fndv2ypb-1227119789832|title=Sharks sign Barba on a three-year deal|date=11 November 2014|work=NewsComAu}}</ref>

===2015===
On 13 February, Barba played at five-eighth for the [[Indigenous All Stars (rugby league)|Indigenous All Stars]] in the [[2015 All Stars match]] at [[Robina Stadium|Cbus Super Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/final-all-stars-teams-announced/tabid/10874/newsid/83748/default.aspx|title=Final All Stars teams announced|work=NRL - The official site of the National Rugby League - NRL.com|date=8 February 2015}}</ref> The Indigenous side won 20-6 over the [[NRL All Stars team|NRL All Stars]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/the-indigenous-all-stars-have-beaten-the-nrl-stars-20-6-at-cbus-stadium/story-fni3fbgz-1227219053165|title=Indigenous All Stars Have beaten the NRL Stars 20-6|website=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=13 February 2015}}</ref> In Round 1 of the [[2015 NRL season]], he made his club debut for the Cronulla side against the [[Canberra Raiders]], playing at five-eighth in the Sharks' 24-20 loss at [[Endeavour Field|Remondis Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2015/round-1/cronulla-vs-canberra/summary.html|title=NRL 2015 - Round 1|publisher=Rugby League Project|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/sharks-v-raiders-cronulla-a-long-way-off-the-pace-in-loss-to-canberra-short-of-highlights/story-fni3gol8-1227253693351|title=Cronulla a LKong Way Off the Pace in Loss to Canberra Short of Highlights|website=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=8 December 2015|date=5 March 2015}}</ref> In Round 6 against the [[Newcastle Knights]], he scored his first try for Cronulla in their 22-6 win at Remondis Stadium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-match-report/ben-barba-injured-as-cronulla-sharks-young-guns-help-them-vanquish-newcastle-knights-20150410-1miqpq.html|title=Ben Barba injured as Cronulla Sharks young guns help them vanquish Newcastle Knights|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=10 April 2015}}</ref> In Round 18 against the [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]], he made headlines after pulling off a try-saving tackle on St. George forward [[Ben Creagh]] as Creagh was racing to score next to the goal posts, while Barba also scored a try in the Cronulla club's 28-8 win at Remondis Stadium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/ben-barbas-trysaving-tackle-could-be-moment-that-turns-cronulla-sharks-season-20150712-giap2s.html|title=Ben Barba's try-saving tackle could be moment that turns Cronulla Sharks' season|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=12 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/ben-barba-tackle-inspires-sharks-win-over-dragons/news-story/66e4d73150fcae2ab6b18976c2bfb563?sv=c8d94f2143c3de43cc2330e6dce90f1a|title=Nocookies|newspaper=The Australian|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> Barba finished off his first year with the Cronulla club having played in 19 matches and scoring three tries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/My0tNC0tLS0tLTc4NTQtLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0t|title=Custom Match List|publisher=Rugby League Project|date=29 October 2015|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> On 15 December 2015, Barba was named at five-eighth for the [[Indigenous All Stars (rugby league)|Indigenous All Stars]] team to play against the [[NRL All Stars team|NRL All Stars]] on 13 February 2016.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.nrl.com/teams-named-for-nrl-all-stars-match/tabid/10874/newsid/91188/default.aspx | title=Teams named for NRL All Stars match| date=15 December 2015}}</ref>

===2016===
On 29 January, Barba was named in the Sharks 2016 Auckland Nines squad.<ref>{{cite web| work=Rugby League Week| title=Sharks Name 2016 Nines Squad| url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/sharks-name-2016-nines-squad/| access-date=3 February 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131060101/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/sharks-name-2016-nines-squad/| archive-date=31 January 2016| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 13 February 2016, Barba played for the [[Indigenous All Stars (rugby league)|Indigenous All Stars]] against the [[NRL All Stars team|World All Stars]], playing at five-eighth in the 12-8 loss at [[Suncorp Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news| work= Daily Telegraph| title=World All Stars defeat Indigenous All Stars 12-8 at Suncorp Stadium| author=Chris Garry| url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/world-all-stars-defeat-indigenous-all-stars-128-at-suncorp-stadium/news-story/034a63c6602597828b4b9a5ce72f986e|access-date=14 February 2016|date=13 February 2016}}</ref> Barba would go on to have a standout season and play an integral part in Cronulla's first premiership. In November 2016, Barba tested positive to having [[cocaine]] in his system and was suspended indefinitely by the NRL. Cronulla-Sutherland granted him an immediate release from his contract to deal with these issues.

===2017===
On 1 February 2017, it was announced that Barba had switched codes and joined French [[Top 14]] [[rugby union]] team [[RC Toulonnais]] for {{frac|2|1|2}} seasons.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/feb/02/ben-barba-joins-world-rugbys-top-earners-after-taking-up-toulon-offer] Ben Barba joins world rugby's top earners after taking up Toulon offer - The Guardian, 1 February 2017</ref> On 10 May 2017 he was sacked by Toulon after playing just four games in French rugby. On 24 May 2017, Barba signed a {{frac|2|1|2}} year contract with English [[Super League]] club [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]].<ref>[https://www.saintsrlfc.com/2017/05/24/breaking-saints-sign-ben-barba] Ben Barba signs for St. Helens - St. Helens RFC Official Site</ref>

===2018===
Barba enjoyed a successful season with St Helens in 2018, scoring 28 tries in 23 games as the club finished the regular season with the [[League Leaders' Shield]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.rugby-league.com/championship__league_1/article/53438/st-helens-win-the-league-leaders-shield | title=St Helens win the League Leaders' Shield}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/ben-barba-super-league-man-of-steel-award-winner-2019-nrl-st/1iwvadh643o6z150y09pzcabkh | title=Ben Barba wins Super League's 2018 Man of Steel award}}</ref>

On 25 September 2018, Barba signed a one-year deal with the [[North Queensland Cowboys]] for the 2019 season.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2018/09/25/barba-to-join-cowboys-in-2019/ | title=Barba to join Cowboys in 2019| date=25 September 2018}}</ref>

On 2 October 2018, he was named at fullback in the [[Super League Dream Team#2018|2018 Super League Dream Team]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/10/02/nrl-bound-stars-ben-barba-and-john-bateman-headline-uk-dream-team/ | title=NRL-bound stars Ben Barba and John Bateman headline UK Dream Team| date=2 October 2018}}</ref> On 8 October 2018, Barba won the [[Man of Steel Awards|Man of Steel]] award. He became the second player after [[Gavin Miller]] to win both the Man of Steel and [[Dally M Medal]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.saintsrlfc.com/2018/10/08/barba-named-man-of-steel/ | title=Barba Named Man of Steel| date=8 October 2018}}</ref>

===2019===
On 1 February 2019, before playing a game for the North Queensland Cowboys, Barba was released due to a significant breach of the terms of his contract.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2019/02/01/club-statement/ | title=Club statement| date=February 2019 | website=www.cowboys.com.au | publisher=North Queensland Cowboys}}</ref> It was later reported that Barba was being investigated by [[Townsville, Queensland|Townsville]] police regarding the alleged assault of his partner on [[Australia Day]]. If proven true, [[NRL]] [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] [[Todd Greenberg]] confirmed that he would not return to the NRL, with the RFL confirming they would mirror any NRL ban.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/02/02/we-have-run-out-of-patience-todd-greenberg-cant-see-ben-barba-returning-to-nrl/|title='We have run out of patience': Todd Greenberg can't see Ben Barba returning to NRL|date=2 February 2019|website=National Rugby League|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/47110207|title=Ben Barba faces Super League ban following alleged assault|work=BBC Sport |date=3 February 2019|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/02/04/barbas-super-league-return-blocked/|title=Super League to block any Barba return if banned by NRL|date=3 February 2019|website=National Rugby League|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref>

On 5 February 2019, the NRL banned Barba indefinitely.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-47125296|title=Rugby league's Barba banned over 'assault'|work=BBC News |date=5 February 2019|access-date=16 February 2019}}</ref> It was subsequently reported that he was working as a truck driver,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/from-500k-to-27-an-hour-ben-barba-starts-new-life-as-truck-driver-after-nrl-exile/news-story/8ed06062c2fd53f5856051ec8d601bce|title=NRL news: Ben Barba, Cowboys; former Dally M winner starts new job as truck driver|date=14 February 2019|website=foxsports.com.au|access-date=16 February 2019}}</ref> but was employed as a metalworker in [[Mackay, Queensland]], earning $20 an hour.<ref>{{cite web |title=Disgraced Barba pictured in tradie gear at $20-an-hour job |url=https://www.qt.com.au/news/bluecollar-barba-disgraced-star-begins-new-life-a/3654488/ |website=[[The Queensland Times]] |access-date=28 February 2019 |date=22 February 2019 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308183241/https://www.qt.com.au/news/bluecollar-barba-disgraced-star-begins-new-life-a/3654488/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==NRL statistics==
: ''Statistics are correct to the end of the 2018 season''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/ben-barba/summary.html|title=Ben Barba - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project|first=Shawn Dollin and Andrew|last=Ferguson|website=www.rugbyleagueproject.org|access-date=11 October 2018}}</ref>

===NRL===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|†
|Denotes seasons in which Barba won an [[List of NRL Premiers|NRL Premiership]]
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"  style="font-size:90%; text-align:center; width:85%;"
|-
!width=2%|Season
!width=8%|Team
!width=2%|Matches
!width=2%|T
!width=2%|G
!width=2%|GK %
!width=2%|F/G
!width=2%|Pts
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2008 Bulldogs RLFC season|2008]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs|Canterbury-Bankstown]]
| 4|| 1|| 0|| —|| 0|| 4
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2009 Bulldogs RLFC season|2009]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs|Canterbury-Bankstown]]
| 4|| 1|| 0|| —|| 0|| 4
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2010 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs season|2010]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs|Canterbury-Bankstown]]
| 21|| 15|| 0|| —|| 0|| 60
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2011 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs season|2011]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs|Canterbury-Bankstown]]
| 24|| 23|| 0|| —|| 0|| 92
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2012 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs season|2012]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs|Canterbury-Bankstown]]
| 27|| 22|| 0|| —|| 0|| 88
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2013 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs season|2013]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs|Canterbury-Bankstown]]
| 17|| 10|| 0|| —|| 0|| 40
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2014 Brisbane Broncos season|2014]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Brisbane Broncos|Brisbane]]
| 25|| 8|| 0|| —|| 0|| 32
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2015 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks season|2015]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}} [[Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks|Cronulla-Sutherland]]
| 19|| 3|| 0|| —|| 0|| 12
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#afe6ba;"| [[2016 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks season|2016]]†
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}} [[Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks|Cronulla-Sutherland]]
| 27|| 16|| 0|| —|| 0|| 64
|- class="sortbottom"
! colspan=2| Career totals
! 168
! 99
! 0
! —
! 0
! 396
|}

===Super League===
{| class="wikitable sortable"  style="font-size:90%; text-align:center; width:85%;"
|-
!width=2%|Season
!width=8%|Team
!width=2%|Matches
!width=2%|T
!width=2%|G
!width=2%|GK %
!width=2%|F/G
!width=2%|Pts
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2017
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|St Helens|16}} [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]]
| 5|| 3|| 0|| —|| 0|| 12
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2018
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|St Helens|16}} [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]]
| 29|| 31|| 0|| —|| 0|| 124
|- class="sortbottom"
! colspan=2| Career totals
! 34
! 34
! 0
! —
! 0
! 136
|}

==Other sports==
{{see also|List of players who have converted from one football code to another}}
In April 2019, Barba signed for Mackay Rangers soccer club in the [[Mackay Regional Football]] premier league and made several appearances for the club but was largely unsuccessful in his attempted code switch.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/ben-barba-mackay-rangers-football-soccer-nrl-ban/27f6b150-bd78-4263-9c49-28109c4dc264|title=Disgraced NRL star Ben Barba makes code switch to football in Mackay Premier League|publisher=Wide World of Sport|date=20 April 2019|access-date=28 July 2020}}</ref>

In July 2020, he made another shock code switch to [[Australian rules football]] and played for the Eastern Swans reserves in the [[AFL Mackay]] competition where he lined up in the position of full forward and kicked seven goals on debut. He impressed enough to warrant a call up to the seniors team several hours later and kicked a further six goals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/nrl-2020-ben-barba-kicks-13-goals-in-afl-debut-for-eastern-swans-in-mackay/news-story/499fd0b56071f0a97c7dab3372a12ab4#:~:text=Barba%20made%20his%20debut%20in,reserves%20playing%20at%20full%20forward|title=Ben Barba kicks 13 goals in Aussie rules debut for Eastern Swans in Mackay|publisher=Fox Sports Australia|date=26 July 2020|access-date=28 July 2020}}</ref> Barba finished second in the league goalkicking in 2020, 2021 and 2022 with 26, 63 and 68 goals<ref>{{cite web | url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?pID=207599290 | title=Benjamin Barba - Player Statistics }}</ref> respectively. He also represented North Queensland in 2021 against South Queensland in an AFL curtain raiser match.<ref>[https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/disgraced-exnrl-player-ben-barba-in-afl-curtainraiser/news-story/2493bcaa994b92dbf4dd7e3a6e1e1f7f Disgraced ex-NRL player Ben Barba in AFL curtain-raiser] from Fox Sports June 12th, 2021</ref>

==Personal life==
Barba has four daughters with his girlfriend Ainslie Currie.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.smh.com.au/rugby-league/cronulla-sharks/ben-barba-signs-with-cronulla-sharks-for-800000-a-season-for-the-next-three-years-20141111-11kln8.html|title=Ben Barba signs with Cronulla Sharks for $800,000 a season for the next three years|publisher=M.smh.com.au|date=11 November 2014|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref>

Barba's older brother, Aaron, played rugby league in the [[Queensland Cup]], setting the competition record for most tries in a season with 33 in 2003.<ref>{{cite news|last=Garry|first=Chris|title=Aaron Barba could have been anything in the NRL - now he's just Ben's brother|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/aaron-barba-could-have-been-anything-in-the-nrl-now-hes-just-bens-brother/story-e6frfgbo-1226479167382|access-date=22 September 2012|newspaper=[[The Courier-Mail]]|date=22 September 2012}}</ref>
His younger brother, Marmin, held an NRL contract with the [[Gold Coast Titans]] in [[2013 NRL season|2013]] and won a [[Queensland Cup]] premiership and [[NRL State Championship]] with the [[Ipswich Jets]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2015/04/01/marmin-the-forgotten-barba/ | title=Marmin the forgotten Barba| date=April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/ben-barbas-younger-brother-marmin-scores-electric-try-for-ipswich-jets-in-state-championship/news-story/27f4615f2a79371f22a5c7192d6e9b3b | title=Video: Forgotten Barba's fabulous finals try| date=4 October 2015}}</ref>

==Domestic violence allegations==
In 2013, the NRL investigated Barba after his on and off girlfriend, Currie, claimed he punched her in the face, and sent pictures to a friend showing her bloodied chin.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/ainslie-curries-texts-to-a-friend-detail-injuries-after-allegedly-being-punched-by-ben-barba/news-story/23769c008b3346b2304ad3665a95e19d|title=New texts detail Currie's anguish|date=2 September 2013|website=www.heraldsun.com.au}}</ref>

On Australia Day 2019, he was seen on CCTV assaulting Currie at a Townsville casino. The assault lasted for more than half an hour. His partner chose not to press charges.<ref name="abc"/>

In March 2019, Barba pleaded guilty to public nuisance, and sentenced to community service, with magistrate John Smith noting that his ban from the NRL had been an "enormous penalty".<ref name="abc">{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-28/nrl-ben-barba-sentence-to-community-service-casino-incident/11156220|title=Former NRL player Ben Barba pinned partner by throat, hit her in head with shoe, court hears|first=Melissa|last=Maddison|date=28 May 2019|website=ABC News}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180118010828/https://www.saintsrlfc.com/teams/first-team/ben-barba/ St Helens profile]
* [http://www.rugby-league.com/superleague/player-info/10111 SL profile]

{{Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks squad - 2016 NRL premiers}}
{{2008 National Youth Competition Team of the Year}}
{{National Rugby League top try scorers}}
{{Dally M Medallists}}
{{2018 Super League Dream Team}}
{{Man of Steel Award}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Barba, Ben}}
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