Sharks sign Ben Barba on three-year deal

It's official - Cronulla have signed Ben Barba on a three year NRL deal.
The former Dally M Medallist is Sharks-bound after securing a release from the final two seasons of his Brisbane Broncos contract.
He is expected to slot into the five-eighth vacancy created by Todd Carney's axing.
"I'm sure Sharks fans will be really excited about watching Benny play," Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said.
"He has flair, x-factor and try scoring ability, but it's not just about the tries he scores, it's the tries he creates and the opportunities he provides for others.

"Our attack is an area we need to improve. I've focused a lot of my recruitment around that and Benny fits perfectly into the team I'm trying to build."
Barba is expected to start training at Cronulla within the next week.
"I realise I am a professional sportsman and must go where the work is to support and provide for my young family although it is unfortunate I have had to leave the Brisbane Broncos after just one year," Barba said in a statement.
"I am grateful to Shane and the Sharks board for providing me with this opportunity to join their club."
Barba had been tipped to sign with Cronulla after returning Broncos coach Wayne Bennett told the playmaker he could not guarantee him a start in the 2015 season.
"We want to thank Ben for all the efforts he put in over the past year in what was a very long and tough season," Broncos CEO Paul White said.
Barba has scored 80 tries in a total of 122 NRL games after making his debut for the Bulldogs in 2008

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Origin lure still strong for Samoa stars

 Toa Samoa halfback Kyle Stanley says he's unsure whether the day will come when young Samoans born in Australia will reject the lure of State of Origin football for the nation's blue jumper. 

The world's seventh-ranked rugby league nation bowed out of the Four Nations without a victory in its three games after being belted by the Kangaroos on Sunday, but made great strides in the tournament by impressing in clashes against the England and then New Zealand.
But despite their brave showings against the global elite, Stanley remains unconvinced that rising Samoan talents wouldn't shun their home country for the financial rewards of playing representative football in Australia.
"Money talks, you know?" Stanley told NRL.com.
"We weren't about money, this group. We love our country, we love playing rugby league. That's what this campaign is based on: honesty, family and respect. We've done well for ourselves.
"I'm not too sure if players will reject the jumper. If they love their culture, they'll definitely come here. The boys did it for each other and the country."
Two of Samoa's best performers over the three weeks include fringe Origin candidates Joseph Leilua and Josh McGuire, with the latter one of the last cut from the Kangaroos squad late last month.
A third, centre Tim Lafai, has already signalled his intentions on being available for New South Wales selectors next year.
But Stanley said veteran leaders like Frank Pritchard had been a positive influence on the younger members of the playing group like himself and would encourage them to remain loyal to their country.
"When I saw 'Tank' come to the first session, I was shocked. I was like, 'What's he doing here?'" he said.
"When he said he put his hand up for Samoa, it just lifts everyone, you know? Seeing where he's been in his career, it really lifts the whole group. It was awesome."
While Stanley was uncertain about Samoa's long-term depth, the Dragons utility still described his country's first outing in the tournament as a success.
"It's just been a great experience you know. I've never been on a Four Nations before. We all came here as individuals but we're all family now," he said.
"The feeling that we have all the way through this tournament, it's overwhelming. There' s no words to describe it. I've enjoyed it and all the boys have as well.
"Everyone knows who Samoa is now, we've definitely made our mark on rugby league. We're all proud of what we've achieved. Now we move forward from here. We're heading in the right direction."
Stanley, 23, has yet to sign with a club after coming off contract with the Dragons at the end of last season. However reports emerged over the weekend that the Hurstville product will soon sign with the Sharks.
Stanley was reluctant to divulge details on his immediate future, saying only that playing consistent first grade football was his number one priority.
"I'm not too sure what's happening yet. I just wanna get on the field and play first grade, that's my only goal. Until that happens, it's out of my hands," he said.

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Kiwis glad to face 'Roos in decider

He could have been preparing to face England or even Samoa in a Four Nations final this week, but veteran New Zealand back-rower Adam Blair says he's happy the world champion Kangaroos are the Kiwis' opponents for Saturday's tournament decider.
All four teams were still in the running to make the final heading into last weekend's matches, but Blair said he was happy Australia is the team that now stands between New Zealand and Four Nations glory.
"You always want to play the best. You know you're in for a big match-up then. They are coming in off the back of some good footy and watching them [play Samoa] they played really well," Blair said.
"They're gelling a lot better than they were in the first game and obviously we're up for a massive Test match.
"We both want to win the game and we both have everything to play for so we just have to turn up with the right attitude and play some good footy."
Blair's Wests Tigers and New Zealand teammate Martin Taupau also was looking forward to taking on Australia again after their convincing 30-12 win over the Kangaroos three weeks ago.
"We know what we're capable of and we know what we have to do to come away with a win. We'll stick to what we've been doing the last few weeks and go into Saturday ready," Taupau said.
"I'm glad [we play Australia]. Everyone is looking forward to the opportunity. We'll just do what we normally do. There's no need to do change anything. We'll just go in and play as hard as we can."
Australia bounced back from that first-up 18-point defeat with a tight victory over England and an impressive rout of Samoa, but Blair insists the undefeated Kiwis can lift to another level when it counts.
"I'm confident with what we have done so far but [we have only played] three games," Blair said. "If we go out there and do what we have done in this tournament, and a little bit extra, I'm confident we can go out there and win."

 

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Jackson expects hostile Kiwis

He's the newest Joey in the Kangaroos side, but Test rookie Josh Jackson is under no illusions about the task Australia faces in their Four Nations rugby league final against New Zealand.
The highly rated Bulldogs back rower became the ninth Australian Test debutant of the tournament, when he came off the bench in Sunday's 44-18 thumping of Samoa in Wollongong.
The victory secured Australia's place in Saturday's final in Wellington against a New Zealand side that inflicted a 30-12 defeat on Australia in the first round of matches back on October 25 in Brisbane.
"The first week was really disappointing, but the last couple of weeks the boys have put in a couple of good performances," Jackson said at Sydney Airport on Monday.
"But there's still a lot that we can improve on."
While he's an international novice, Jackson knows exactly what to expect from the New Zealand forwards should he get the call to face them from coach Tim Sheens.
"New Zealand have always had a really strong forward pack," Jackson said.
"They play their game through the middle and they do it well, so it will be a good test for us.
"Any time we go over to New Zealand it's a tough game. They've been a quality side for a number of years now.
"We've got to give them the respect and try and hold on to the ball and do the simple things to try and win the game."
Sunday's game was another landmark in the rising career of the well regarded Bulldogs forward.
While he has yet to represent NSW at Origin level, he is no stranger to the big occasion.
Jackson played in two losing Bulldogs grand final sides in 2012 and 2014 but Kangaroos selection fulfilled a childhood dream.
"After getting off the field last night, I thought to myself `I've just played for Australia,'" Jackson said.
"As a kid, that's all I wanted to do, so thats a very surreal moment."
"Growing up watching players like Greg Inglis and Cameron Smith on the television and being part of their team and training with guys like that, I guess you just learn different things from them."

 

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Klemmer selection was turning point: Woods

Kangaroos prop Aaron Woods says coach Tim Sheens' bold decision to introduce rookie big man David Klemmer against England was the turning point in Australia's Four Nations campaign.
The Kangaroos were staring at the prospect of missing the final of a major tournament for the first time in 60 years after going down to the Kiwis in the opener in Brisbane.
But, short on fire and rugby league brimstone, coach Tim Sheens handed the 20-year-old his first Test jumper in a comeback win over England before the Bulldogs front-rower turned heads with a fine performance off the bench against Samoa last Sunday that included his first Test try.
Now the Aussies are 80 minutes away from defending their Four Nations crown.
"I was happy with my game, sort of, against the Kiwis. I got some good time, but we just defended the whole game,"
"[But] credit to Sheensy, he showed a lot of faith in us. He brought Klemmer in the next week and we were a lot better through the middle, a lot tighter. He put Sammy [Thaiday] on an edge this week and put 'Pup' up front. Whatever Sheensy's thrown us, it's done well."
Woods was Klemmer's roommate for the slickers in the annual City-Country fixture earlier this year and the pair instantly formed a strong friendship.
While the Wests Tigers prop went on to help bring an end to Queensland's reign in the interstate rivalry, Woods said he knew his younger counterpart was destined for similar things.
"I didn't know him at all before that. I got to know him well and he's my roomie then and he is now. We're pretty good mates now. It's good fun. I can't talk too much – loose lips sink ships. But he's a legend," he said.
"I'm not surprised at what he's done at all. He's coming off the bench doing his job. He got a try – I was very proud of him. I haven't got one yet. I thought he was a big difference [on Sunday] on the field, he carted the ball up forward we were in that grind. He changed the game."
Klemmer described his Kangaroos debut against clubmate James Graham and the twin Burgesses as a tough initiation into the international arena. In 27 minutes, the second-year pro made 89 metres off nine carries against England.
"It's pretty tough versing your teammates. Me and [Graham] got stuck into each other last week, a bit of push and shove. But you know, whatever happens on the field, stays on the field. We're good teammates, we're very competitive," he said.
In fact, the All Saints product said the entire representative experience has been an eye-opener, and admitted he was still stunned to be playing alongside many of the NRL's elite.
"You think about it, and you see Greg Inglis walk past you or Cameron Smith talking to you. I've literally slapped myself after talking to them," he said.
"But they're all good blokes, guys like Robbie Farah and Greg Bird... I just love being around those sorts of blokes. Just being around them, it's good for me. It builds my confidence up, that I can be around these players, and this calibre of the game, Test match footy. I'm going to take a lot out of this Four Nations tournament."
When the final whistle blows in their final against the Kiwis on Sunday, Klemmer will have ended his second season in the NRL with a City jumper, a grand final appearance, and three games in the green and gold.
Next year, he hopes to complete the representative treble with a maiden NSW jumper.
"I know Australia's the pinnacle, but growing up watching State of Origin footy, I'm very passionate about New South Wales. I love when it comes on. I just love the physicality of it," he said.
"[But] I gotta keep playing good football to be picked for those sorts of teams. That'll be on the back of my mind. Bulldogs are first priority and whatever happens after that is just a bonus."

 

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