Former Man of Steel follows in footsteps of ex-Hull FC man to join new club

Super League Man of Steel winner Ben Barba has followed in the footsteps of a former Hull FC man to sign for a new club Down Under.

Barba won the prestigious award back in 2018 during his second campaign at St Helens with the Australian proving to be far and away the best player in the competition.

So impressive was his 2018 campaign that North Queensland Cowboys agreed to sign him in a return to the NRL but he would not play a game for the club after serious breaches of his contract.

Since then, Barba has been in and out of the game at an amateur level but he’s now set to go around again, aged 35, after signing for a new club ahead of the 2025 campaign.

Barba has followed former Hull FC forward Manu Ma’u in signing for Souths Sharks, a team that will be coached by former Castleford Tigers man Kenny Edwards. The Super League trio will offer huge experience to the club who play in the Mackay and District competitions Down Under.

Ben Barba follows ex-Hull FC man to sign with local team Down Under

As well as joining former Hull FC and Castleford men, Barba will reunite with his brother Marmin who has re-signed for Souths Sharks after joining the club ahead of the 2024 season.

Marmin had previously played for Ipswich Jets and Redcliffe in the Queensland Cup between 2014 and 2020, where he would amass 84 appearances and score 67 tries.

After signing for Souths Sharks in 2024, he is now joined by big brother Ben who is the latest in a string of high-profile signings.

Announcing the signing of Ben Barba, Souths posted ‘Barba boys are reunited in 2025’ on their Facebook page before adding: “Welcome Benny! The list of achievements are long and at the highest level in NRL and Super League, also a very proud indigenous player showcasing in recent carnivals.

“Sharks are lucky enough to have both Benny and Marmin at the club next year and also excited that the boys have the opportunity to play together.”

The club will be creating some team purely based on their former Super League men with Barba and Ma’u brilliant signings, alongside Edwards as a coach.