THE Broncos are set to re-launch the Darren Lockyer experiment and turn fullback Ben Barba into a five-eighth.Barba looms as the answer to the Broncos’ halves crisis after Jordan Kahu suffered a cruel anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Barba is now their best option to partner Ben Hunt in the halves, with rookie Zach Strasser the alternative.
Three years after he retired, the Broncos are still searching for a replacement for Lockyer.
Barba would be their most talented No.6 since the legendary playmaker hung up his boots.
Barba will play five-eighth for the Broncos in the inaugural Nines tournament this weekend with Anthony Griffin to unleash a near-first grade side in order to find backline combinations.
If Barba performs, the No.6 jersey is his.
Kahu had been pencilled in for five-eighth this season.
While the severity of his third knee injury in four years will be discovered today, he faces several weeks on the sidelines at a minimum.
Barba played his junior footy at five-eighth and was solid in eight NRL games in the role for Canterbury.
Barba could be dynamic outside halfback Hunt and provide the Broncos with a far stronger backline.
It would send New Zealand Test fullback Josh Hoffman to his preferred position of custodian, a role he wanted so desperately he considered seeking a release from the club.
Rookie Strasser has been training at five-eighth this pre-season but his form in the Broncos’ first trial was solid at best.
Kahu performed better, setting up a try with a classic cut-out pass, but then his knee gave way on the Dolphin Oval turf.
Coach Griffin acknowledged Strasser needed to improve following the 32-8 trial loss to North Queensland.
“He had some good periods and some periods where he got a bit lost, being it was his first game at that level,” Griffin said.
“His first 20 minutes was good though.”
Transforming a star fullback into a match-winning five-eighth is old hat at the Broncos, following Lockyer’s seamless transition.
Griffin is on record that Barba is a five-eighth consideration this year, while Queensland Origin legend Wally Lewis backed the 22-year-old to star in the role.
“If Anthony Griffin is looking at Ben Barba at five-eighth, I have no doubt he can do the job there. I don’t recall too many people questioning his ability to defend,” he said recently.
“Fears of Ben handling five-eighth are no concern for me.”
Dale Copley and Daniel Vidot performed strong for the Broncos proving they have backline depth to cover Hoffman.
The Broncos cannot afford to nurse a rookie as they face Canterbury, North Queensland and reigning premiers Sydney Roosters in their first three games.
Kahu’s awful injury did show there is a strong bond between Broncos teammates.
He was immediately consoled by two men who have been through injury hell and fought back.
“The players and coaching staff are here for him. If he has to do it again he won’t take a step backwards,” Jharal Yow Yeh said.
“I just said to him if it’s the worst, we will get through this mate. He’s gone through this before.
“Hodgo (Justin Hodges) said to him in the sheds ‘look you are only young’ so he has a long road ahead.”
