Official Ben Barba

"Benny Barba probably won't play"

Didn't exactly state that he certainly won't be playing.

He's probably one of the players Flanno is worried about with conditioning and going straight into playing a quick game like that.

SORRY CRAZY MATT - REPEAT POST



BARBA KEEN TO MAKE SHARKS DEBUT AT NINES
Auckland Nines Sharks
January 7, 2015Facebook158Twitter13
STAR recruit Ben Barba is hoping to make his Cronulla debut in the Dick Smith Auckland Nines later this month.

Barba’s speed and try scoring ability makes him an ideal Nines player – but coach Shane Flanagan may be reluctant to risk his big-name signing in the pre-season comp.

But Barba is fit, fast – and raring to go.

“Ben would love to play in the Nines,” his manager Gavin Orr says.

“Of course it is up to the coaching staff but Ben is keen and he is ready and willing.

“He has been training strongly in his new surroundings and I’m sure the crowd would love to see him out there.”

Ironically, Barba made his Broncos debut in the Nines last season and suffered a foot injury that hampered him for much of the season.

But he is over that problem now and primed for a big year

http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/barba-...s-debut-nines/

Gow's Scissors said:

Heard flannos interview yet Matt?

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Yeah I have. I didn't say he will play, I only said he WANTS to play.

egg said:

SORRY CRAZY MATT - REPEAT POST



BARBA KEEN TO MAKE SHARKS DEBUT AT NINES
Auckland Nines Sharks
January 7, 2015Facebook158Twitter13
STAR recruit Ben Barba is hoping to make his Cronulla debut in the Dick Smith Auckland Nines later this month.

Barba’s speed and try scoring ability makes him an ideal Nines player – but coach Shane Flanagan may be reluctant to risk his big-name signing in the pre-season comp.

But Barba is fit, fast – and raring to go.

“Ben would love to play in the Nines,” his manager Gavin Orr says.

“Of course it is up to the coaching staff but Ben is keen and he is ready and willing.

“He has been training strongly in his new surroundings and I’m sure the crowd would love to see him out there.”

Ironically, Barba made his Broncos debut in the Nines last season and suffered a foot injury that hampered him for much of the season.

But he is over that problem now and primed for a big year

http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/barba-...s-debut-nines/

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All good eggos. I actually prefer the copy and paste method that you do, but when I'm on my phone it's hard, so I tend to just put the link instead.

Hi everyone.long time no post - I hope a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year was had by all.

Thought this might tickle ye... Gavin Miller save us all...

I wouldn't mind if he doesn't play. He's pretty much nailed on for the starting 6 spot, so I wouldn't mind seeing some of the other half options.

brown and murphy perhaps?

Expect Barba to play like Carney: Robson
By Jack Brady
NRL.com
6:00am Sat 10th January, 2015


Destined to be the club's new five-eighth from the moment he arrived in the Shire, Barba has impressed everyone at the club since his unceremonious departure from the Broncos, according to Robson, who said he was excited to play alongside the 25-year-old former Bronco and Bulldog.

"We're going to try and get him to play a similar game to Toddy, the running style kind of five-eighth. He's obviously a different player [to Carney] so we will have to tinker with that and work towards Benny's strengths," Robson told NRL.com.

"If we do that then it will work to my strengths as well. Once we work out which roles and plays suit us best, it will work out really well for the team. We have been training well since we've come back from Christmas break and we're only going to get better.

"Now that I'm starting to learn his style of play and the plays he likes to do best, hopefully now we can start building on [our partnership] leading into the beginning of the competition."

While Barba is more accustomed to playing fullback since making his first grade debut in 2008, he did play the final nine games of his Broncos career in the six jumper, ensuring his positional shift was an easy decision for coach Shane Flanagan.

Robson certainly had no concerns with Barba's shift to six, with the veteran insisting the former Dally M Medal winner's communication and attacking skills will shine, which would also make the halfback's life easier.

"He's actually a really good communicator which you have to be to play five-eighth. I don't think it will be too much of difference for him to slip into the six [from fullback] and communicate to the rest of the team and myself. He's been going really well with that," Robson said.

"I just need to lead the team and get us positioned where we need to be on the field, which will then allow me to link up with the likes of Benny and Mick Gordon out the back with the running style of play that they're best at.

"If we can do that then I think we will trouble teams because one of Ben's best assets is his running game. He's quick and elusive and quite powerful for a little bloke."

While it all sounds promising for the club, Sharks fans will have to wait a little longer to see this halves partnership in action if Robson has anything to do with it – with the 32-year-old not keen on playing in Auckland and Barba already all-but ruled out of the pre-season tournament by the club.

"I'm not 100 per cent sure I really even want to play in the Nines because I'm getting older these days and it's just another weekend I have to get through," Robson said.

"I actually was injured in our last trial game last year so I'm just hoping to get through the next few months unscathed."

egg said:

"We're going to try and get him to play a similar game to Toddy, the running style kind of five-eighth. He's obviously a different player [to Carney] so we will have to tinker with that and work towards Benny's strengths," Robson told NRL.com.

"If we do that then it will work to my strengths as well. Once we work out which roles and plays suit us best, it will work out really well for the team. We have been training well since we've come back from Christmas break and we're only going to get better.

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Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha.

HaroldBishop said:

Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha.

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I think what he is trying to say is Barba will drop the ball a lot so we will have to do a lot of tackling.

deano the p said:

I think what he is trying to say is Barba will drop the ball a lot so we will have to do a lot of tackling.

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Hahaha

So basically what he is saying is they are too lazy to come up with a new strategy and attacking system so they will just use the same game plan as they did with Todd even though they are completely different players.

sharkyboy said:

So basically what he is saying is they are too lazy to come up with a new strategy and attacking system so they will just use the same game plan as they did with Todd even though they are completely different players.

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I will have to wait and see but if we do this ...wow.

I'd like to see us stand a bit deeper to give him a bit of space if we plan on having him as a running style 5/8.

Actually, I'd prefer we give ourselves a bit more space regardless of who the 5/8 is.

I'm sick of seeing dumbos running into each other and dropping the ball through pressure that has been self-applied.

slide rule said:

I'm sick of seeing dumbos running into each other and dropping the ball through pressure that has been self-applied.

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Nah, I want to see more of us in the opposition 20, with Gal running at the line and then throwing a short hospital pass to Tagataese who will then proceed to drop it. That **** is what I live for.

Sutty said:

Nah, I want to see more of us in the opposition 20, with Gal running at the line and then throwing a short hospital pass to Tagataese who will then proceed to drop it. That **** is what I live for.

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Yep, that's the kind of thing that makes me appreciate summer so much.

sharkyboy said:

So basically what he is saying is they are too lazy to come up with a new strategy and attacking system so they will just use the same game plan as they did with Todd even though they are completely different players.

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I didnt read that at all. Ive seen Flanno mention in a few interviews now that there could be a set up of Graham and Lewis playing a bit of 2nd receiver to free up Barba for maximum impact. I guess we'll find out in 7 weeks. Either way, i dont think the Robbo factor will greatly hinder us, yes he is old and boring, but i think we will make more metres this year, his long kicking and attacking kicks are piss weak (can get a repeat set though). Silver lining.....Robbo cant possibly get another contract

BlackWhiteBlue said:

I didnt read that at all. Ive seen Flanno mention in a few interviews now that there could be a set up of Graham and Lewis playing a bit of 2nd receiver to free up Barba for maximum impact. I guess we'll find out in 7 weeks. Either way, i dont think the Robbo factor will greatly hinder us, yes he is old and boring, but i think we will make more metres this year, his long kicking and attacking kicks are piss weak (can get a repeat set though). Silver lining.....Robbo cant possibly get another contract

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I do. It's the one thing that's holding me back from tipping us to make the 8. I really hope Murphy can be everything we want him to be.

HaroldBishop said:

I do. It's the one thing that's holding me back from tipping us to make the 8. I really hope Murphy can be everything we want him to be.

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I know he is boring, and he does get most of the little things right that need to be right. He just cant make a big play (except a show and go to win us our greatest ever come back). This is why you bring in guys like Barba, Carney etc. It would be amazing if Robbo had a few extra arrows in his quiver, but he doesnt.

I just think back to 2013 where we had a **** bag back line, we had our leading try scorer a prop and terrible hooker options. Now we have talent all over the park and the same old 7. Our side is miles ahead of what it was in 2013 when we came 5th, and lost to Manly missing our star 6

BlackWhiteBlue said:

I know he is boring, and he does get most of the little things right that need to be right. He just cant make a big play (except a show and go to win us our greatest ever come back). This is why you bring in guys like Barba, Carney etc. It would be amazing if Robbo had a few extra arrows in his quiver, but he doesnt.

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It's his lack of a decent kicking game that gets me, it's atrocious for a NRL halfback. I think this is what's going to really hurt us. Really hurt us a lot.

HaroldBishop said:

It's his lack of a decent kicking game that gets me, it's atrocious for a NRL halfback. I think this is what's going to really hurt us. Really hurt us a lot.

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No i agree there. His grubbers are alright but down field or attacking he is really below par. If Gordon can help makes those long metre kicks that will help us out.