BEN Barba has revealed he doubted he could weave his magic in Super League before becoming a St Helens star.
And team-mate Tommy Makinson has even suggested he will give up some of his wages so they can keep hold of him!
The fantastic full-back is the man to watch, arguably in either code, after blitzing his way through virtually every side.
The Steve Prescott Man of Steel prize for player of the year looks more certain with every appearance – but the Australian insists he was not even sure he would do that well.
Barba said: “When I came here last year, I was hesitant because I didn’t have that turn of pace.
“I didn’t have the fitness under my belt and Justin now says that if I make a break during the game to just go for it.
“My team-mates do so much for me, especially the forwards who lay the platform.
“In the backs, Danny Richardson is so young but the control he exerts on games is outstanding.
“I seem to be getting all the rewards on the back of other people’s hard work.”
Magic Weekend sees Barba take on Widnes on Saturday, then the biggest thing happens off the field as talks over whether he stays or goes at the end of the year take place.
Technically, the 28-year-old is under contract until the end of next year but he and his family may want to return home, with his wife and kids’ decision vital in his future.
But Makinson has made him an offer as a call looms large, with him saluting how Barba bounced back from a 12-game ban for testing positive for cocaine in an out of competition test done by the NRL in 2016.
The winger said: “He’s definitely learned, I didn’t know Ben until he came to the club but I saw the tries he scored in the NRL and the mistake he made but it’s not about the setback, it’s about the comeback.
“He was at last Magic Weekend and when you get to know him, you learn the reason why he wanted to join, because he wants to do well. You can see from his performances that he’s not here to muck around. A lot of people want to talk about him now because he’s one of the best players in the league, if not the world.
“If his agent is here, I’ll go and meet him and I’ll do anything – he can take half of my 20 quid or whatever it is!”
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