Barba and Hoffman on shaky ground...

[shamus]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/...-1227002536126

BEN Barba is under the microscope, with the next six weeks to determine if he is a part of Wayne Bennett’s new era at the Broncos next season.

The Sunday Mail understands Bennett will use Brisbane’s run to the playoffs as a form guide that will influence the make-up of his squad in his return to Red Hill.

Speculation is rife troubled Maroons star Darius Boyd will follow Bennett home, leaving Barba and Josh Hoffman on shaky ground.

Barba made a statement on Friday night, playing one of his best games of the season in Brisbane’s 30-8 loss to the Storm on Suncorp Stadium.

In his second week in the No. 6 jumper, Barba went close to scoring after a first-half bust and generally linked well with his outside men.

His manager Chris Orr said on Saturday Barba was determined to be coached by Bennett next season.

“Ben has no problems with Wayne coming and I hope that’s the case with Wayne,” Orr said. “Hopefully he will be excited to work with Ben. The Broncos will have a fantastic roster next year and Ben is happy at the club.”

Bennett will not oppose moves for Boyd to resurrect his Broncos career, but his comeback hinges largely on the club’s salary cap position.

Barba and fullback rival Hoffman are contracted for next season, but even if Boyd does not sign, Anthony Milford’s arrival will increase pressure for backline berths.

Milford is slated to wear the No. 6 jumper in 2015, leaving Hoffman and Barba to battle it out for the fullback spot.

Barba had a chequered stint during Bennett’s last stint at the Broncos.

As a teenager, Barba had his Broncos scholarship torn up for disciplinary reasons before receiving a lifeline from the Bulldogs.

Josh Hoffman is contracted at Brisbane for 2015.

Barba has two years to run on his Brisbane deal but has struggled to find form.

He was tight-lipped about his future in the wake of the Storm defeat, saying his immediate focus is helping Brisbane to the finals.

“We are focusing on this year and this year only,” he said. “When the new coach (Bennett) comes, that’s then.”

Barba is not the only player under pressure. Bennett is keen for a big forward and it is understood misfiring prop Martin Kennedy will not be in his plans after being shopped around in recent weeks.

Internationals Sam Thaiday, Alex Glenn and Hoffman, key players Ben Hunt, Andrew McCullough and Josh McGuire and highly rated youngsters Corey Oates, Jordan Kahu, Francis Molo and Jayden Nikorima are among those who come off contract at the end of 2015.

Bennett has less than four months to decide a priority list from a sizeable chunk of Brisbane’s top-25 roster, likely to headed by halfback Hunt.

Free agent Ben Hannant is expected to stay.

Assistant coach Kevin Walters, conditioner Jeremy Hickmans and video statistician Scott Barker will form the vanguard of Wayne Bennett’s football department next year, following him from the Knights.

The Broncos board wants to Bennett to keep as many current football department staff as possible and CEO Paul White spoke to Bennett at length last week about which staff he wanted next year

[TITAN PETE]

I don't either of them here

[teke]

Id take Hoff, I like the way that boy plays