Barber originally played rugby union and represented Wellington.He played at fullback or scrum-half and was part of the side that won the Ranfurly Shield.[2] Barber originally missed selection for the professional All Blacks for the 1907–1908 tour of Great Britain and Australia but was placed on stand by.He played in the first ever trans-Tasman test which was the debut match of the Australia national rugby league team.[4] In 1912 he was in Petone's side that won the inaugural Wellington Rugby League competition.
Barber in the Wellington side v Auckland at Victoria Park in 1912.