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The North Queensland Cowboys<\/a> are facing an uphill battle to retain rising star Mason Barber<\/a>.<\/p>\n The young fullback is viewed as a major part of the future in Townsville, but is off-contract at the end of the season and no guarantee to remain in Townsville.<\/p>\n News Corp are reporting the youngster, aged just 19, is eyeing off a change of scenery and could be keen on a move to Sydney.<\/p>\n There could be more to it than just a change of scenery though.<\/p>\n While the Cowboys view him as a big part of their future, it’s understood he will be overlooked for the club’s number one jumper next year when Scott Drinkwater<\/a> exits, bound for the St George Illawarra Dragons<\/a>.<\/p>\n Instead, it’s likely to be Jaxon Purdue<\/a> set to fight with Tom Chester<\/a> for the jersey, with the other to play in the centres. Purdue could also line up in the halves, and may yet need to, given the club hasn’t re-signed Jake Clifford<\/a>\u00a0and are chasing Chanel Harris-Tavita<\/a>, who the New Zealand Warriors<\/a> aren’t keen on losing.<\/p>\n It’s understood the Cowboys have offered a new deal in the direction of Barber, but it’s yet to fall across the line.<\/p>\n His form during the pre-season has followed into the QLD Cup<\/a> this year where he has been playing in the centres and on the wing. He has featured in the 22-man squad more than once for the Cowboys this year and could push for an NRL<\/a> debut during the second half of the year.<\/p>\n
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