Where does Ben Barba rank in terms of the best overseas player to come to Super League?

Personally, I never thought we would see anyone better than Jamie Lyon in this league, particularly with the recruiting power of Super League declining. But with Barba I think he is more influential on the team that Lyon, he's involved in the game throughout and comes up with scintillating plays and tries from anywhere on the field.

However, I would also say that Lyon was playing in a stronger league against better opposition. He had pace, power and some of the most refined ball skills I have ever seen, he regularly made international players look like schoolboys.

There are obviously others, but for me and Lyon and Barba would be 1 and 2 at the moment and if Barba can go on and win the GF with Saints this year continuing in his current form then I'd be inclined to say he's the best we've had over here in the SL era.

Barba hasn't played a full season yet - way too early to make that claim. That is not to say he won't end up in the No. 1 spot.

Lets remember why he is over here......

Benjamin Barba's departure from Cronulla has left the Sharks in no man's land. They are struggling without him. St Helens can win everything if Benjamin Barba remains fit. He is the greatest import to Super League since Steven Menzies joined Catalans.

Ali lauititi end off. Barba just a show pony. Good player but a shiw pony playing in a team in great form.

Barba is quality and has all the attributes needed, speed, balance, strength, great hands and reads the game exceptionally well and on current form, worth the admission fee on his own.
However, it's far, far too soon to be making any "greatest import" claims.

They seemed to do OK without him this morning

Vainikolo, Lyon, Richards.

Richards? A solid player but not amongst the very best.

Barba has a good chance of getting there amongst Lyon, Lauiti'iti, Vainikolo. And in the early days the Paul brothers were the real stars of Super League with Henry in my view better than Robbie.

Danny Buderus

Solomona was also superb, a real pleasure to watch.

Ben Barba is a great player but he stands out more at the moment because of the relative lack of stars in the current English competition. Obviously we may see him get even better, but IMO there have been imports in the 2000s who actually had more impact. Still a great talent though, albeit a poor role-model who wouldn't even be over here if he'd behaved himself.

Barba is a class act with all the skills and Saints deserve the success and credit for bringing him to SL. That he is so far ahead of any of the best backs currently in SL shows how far our sport has fallen in recent years. Our game is badly in need of class as without the genuine stars SL will continue to decline and fans and sponsors will disappear.

Unfortunately all true, it would take an increase in salary cap to about 4 million and 5-6 years minimum to get the standard back up to were Nrl players would not see coming to super league as a backward step and step down in class.

I'd have Chris Sandow over Barba every time and in terms of games played, a reasonable comparison can be made. Chris Sandow was SL player of the month for the opening 2 months-as far as I'm aware the only person to achieve this.

Is this a joke? What a laughable suggestion, Barba is 10 times the player hence why Sandow isn’t even at an NRL club. Sandow also went missing in the CC final and GF. Hasn’t Barba won player of the month for the first 3 months?

Isn’t Sandow looking for a club

The only joke here is your intellect. He went missing in the CC final because he was injured and he returned from injury coming on as substitute in the GF. Also, the reason Sandow hasn't got an NRL club is down to 'off field issues' and not down to talent. Barba is without doubt an outstanding player, but Sandow had the complete skill set at the highest of levels and for me, more of a mercurial player.

You’ve just confirmed you’re delusional. Despite your excuses you’ve basically agreed that he was rubbish in the CC and GF, therefore how can he have the ‘complete skill set at the highest of levels’? Also, one has won the Dally M and is an NRL Grand Final winner whilst the other can’t get an NRL contract. Barba is on 37 tries and try assists combined in 13 games, that’s incredible. Sandow is nowhere near the level of Barba, never has been and never will be.

Sandow lol. That’s a belter even for you Gazwire.

Leeds have had some fantastic imports over the years who have all excelled in much tougher super leagues. Whilst Barba is class, just look at the standard of super league this year.

Regards

King James

Was only at Wigan a couple of years but trent barrett was quality for wigan, possible candidate?

LeBron James and AS108- must be my lucky day lol! Two classic saints fans.

You’ve left the game early. Trying to beat traffic?

Regards

King James

Barrett was class!

Regards

King James

I’m not sure anyone in their right mind would argue that Sandow is better than Barba.