SYDNEY (Reuters) - Former Wallabies coach John Connolly believes rugby league convert Ben Barba might have the talent to make it in the 15-man game at Toulon but should be prepared for steep learning curve in his first year in France. Barba's National Rugby League (NRL) career had stalled when he was handed a 12-game ban for testing positive for cocaine last November. Connolly, who coached in France with Stade Francais, thinks the player has gone to the wrong place if he is looking for an easy ride. The Australian Rugby Union has, however, announced that Barba will not be able to play for Toulon in an ARU-sanctioned 10-a-side tournament in Brisbane next week. "And if the sanction does not allow him to play rugby league in Australia next weekend, he won't be playing rugby union in Australia next weekend."

Source: The Star February 03, 2017 04:18 UTC