BEN Barba has won the fullback battle at Cronulla.
The 2012 Dally M medal winner will be named in the no1 jumper for the Sharks daunting road-trip to Townsville, where they will face premiers North Queensland on Saturday night.
Dally M rookie of the year Jack Bird will be named in the centre position by coach Shane Flanagan when he names his side this afternoon with New Zealand Test centre Gerard Beale battling to overcome a hamstring complaint.
Beale faces a final fitness test on Wednesday.
In selecting Bird at centre, Flanagan will form a lethal right-edge combination with winger Valentine Holmes. The duo are no stranger to partnering each other in the backline having dominated together for the Junior Kangaroos.
The experience of Barba at the back over Bird, coupled with his renewed focus on regaining his speed and fitness over a gruelling pre-season, has resulted in Flanagan’s decision.
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