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.

Oh dear here we go again another Wigan fan whinging when their cheating got caught out.

Simply put. Hock failed a match day sample. Cocaine is a stimulant and therefore a performance enhancer which it is why its on the banned list like other stimulants (amphetamines for example). Having it swilling around in your system in a match day is therefore cheating and Hock got exactly what he deserved.

Cocaine does not provide long term performance enhancement like steroids and does therefore not attract a ban for that reason if it is found in an out of competition sample. Its use is of course a social and possible criminal issue which is why a particular sports governing body may take a dim view of its use and impose their own sanctions.

Barba's sample was taken out of competition so it is up to the governing body alone to deal with it.

To summarise

Hock - idiot and cheat
Barba - idiot only
French RU - lying bunch of hypocritical fascists

Nothing most people didn't know already.

Thanx Erik

Like I did say its what I remembered (Didnt go and study the why's and wherefores)

As for being a Wigan fan - wrong, you've more chance of platting fog than me ever supporting Wigan

Again thanx for input - Loved your summmery

Regards

My sincere apologies to you for the the Wigan slur - a genuine mistake on my part.

Nahh no worries Erik, you did fully explain the situation and thanx for that

Have a good season - hopefully not as good as ours

Cheers

Does this give us any hints regarding the Cas/Solomona legal battle?..

If a ban in RL doesnt mean anything in RU, then is it the same for a contract?..

My guess is no, but just throwing it out there

Union stoops to a new low. Sends a great message out about drugs to young union followers.