The Intrust Super Cup's most potent try-scorer of the past two seasons has announced that he is quitting the Ipswich Jets to chase an Olympic berth with the Australian Rugby Sevens team.
Marmin Barba, younger brother of former Dally M Medal winner Ben Barba, has scored 52 tries for the Jets over the past two seasons and added a further typically brilliant four-pointer in Ipswich's State Championship win over Newcastle on Grand Final day.
A star for the Eels in the under-20s and one of the most electrifying players in the game, Barba has been unable to crack an NRL debut and at 24 years of age has decided to pursue opportunities playing rugby sevens from 2016.
Since their season of success that included the Intrust Super Cup crown and State Championship title, Ipswich has seen Rod Griffin, Billy McConnachie, Matt Parcell, Kurt Capewell, Josh Cleeland and Carlin Anderson join NRL clubs, Barba the latest to move on.
"Just want to announce that I won't be playing wit (sic) the "MIGHTY IPSWICH JETS" next year," Barba said in a post to Instagram on Thursday.
"I will be wit (sic) the Australian rugby sevens and hopefully pursue the Olympic dream.
"Thanks to everyone at Ipswich Jets football for everything use (sic) have done for me, wouldn't be the player I am 2day if it wasn't for u guys."
Older brother Ben was on hand to see Marmin and his Ipswich teammates defeat Townsville in the Intrust Super Cup decider in September and told NRL.com that he was extremely proud of what his younger brother had been able to achieve.
"I got nervous there towards the end but I'm so proud of him," said the Sharks star.
"After what he's been through with his cancer and all that, to see him happy and smiling at the end made me really happy."
