[urlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/38824929[/url

Wrong!! and another example of players simply playing one code against another to get what they want

If every player who snorted coke was banned, RL clubs would struggle to field a team containing sufficient numbers.

Regards,
Joe Vickery.

if it's an nrl only ban then there is nothing to stop him, if its a WADA ban then legally he cannot play, or should not be allowed to play, but hey union never liked playing fair specially the Vichy Nazis code, (french rugby union)

He's still facing a 12 game ban when/if he signs for an NRL club so he hasn't managed to avoid it in that respect and latest reports say he might not be moving to RU in light of that news.

It appears it doesn't matter in Union. Keep it quiet, no names!!! I thought the WADA rules applied across all sports? It appears not. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-uni...em-insist-rfu/

It appears it doesn't matter in Union. Keep it quiet, no names!!! I thought the WADA rules applied across all sports? It appears not. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-uni...em-insist-rfu/

Rogues, your link isn't working. Think this is the right article. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/ ... nsist-rfu/

Rogues, your link isn't working. Think this is the right article. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/ ... nsist-rfu/

This is simply a move by Barba to force the NRLs hand - they're making the rules up as they go along. The Sharks tried to register Barbas contract a couple of months ago, enabling him to get back training and for his ban to begin at the start of the season, but the NRL have not registered it yet and have given no reason why - they're not following the same process and timelines that have previously existed for player registrations - Jarryd Hayne for instance left Rugby Union 7s, signed with the Titans (interestingly after the NRLs own signings deadline of 30th June) and made his debut all in the 1 week period.
The Sharks have been quite clever and used this situation to their advantage - they terminated Barbas contract when it all came out and have now months later after a stint in rehab subsequently signed him to a longer deal at a lower annual value. The NRL power brokers don't like that the Sharks have got one over them so are making it as difficult as possible. All the time though, whilst Barba has no registered contract, he ain't getting paid - and I don't know many people who could afford to go 4 months without pay.
As with the Andrew Fifita case, the NRL have handed down an official punishment that is within their guidelines, but are then being deliberately awkward to try and make the punishment more severe. I'd guess if they were challenged legally, they might be in bother for not following due process - a bit like the Sharks are with Todd Carney.

Apparently it's a long deal.

I can remember when he left Bulldigs due to homesickness, he's gonna love France.

when you get disciplined or sacked by the nrl there's a process to get back in. Barba hasn't completed (or started) his, hayne didn't get sacked and fifita is a ing mainiac who isn't fit to play rep footy.

Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong or missed something.

Gareth Hock was banned for 2 years for cocaine (as I remember it)

How has he managed to get a 12 match ban let alone be allowed to play Union

Different continents, different governing bodies, different application of rules and penalties.