NRL: Broncos release Barba

Ben Barba. Photo / Getty Images

Ben Barba's career at Brisbane is over, with coach Wayne Bennett telling the former Canterbury star he couldn't guarantee him a spot in the Broncos side next NRL season.

Barba has two years to run on his current deal and the fullback and sometime five-eighth has been tipped to sign with Cronulla in the coming days.

Bennett told The Courier Mail it was hard telling Barba he had no future at the Broncos.

"I have given permission for Ben to negotiate," Bennett said.

"I don't want to lie to Ben and I don't want to lie to the fans. I could have made out that it would be all rosy for Ben Barba next year but the reality is it might not be so rosy.

The Broncos have signed fullback-pivot options Darius Boyd and Anthony Milford for 2015, squeezing Barba out of the club.

"At this stage, Milford is going to play five-eighth and I can't guarantee Ben a place in the team," Bennett said.

"I've spoken to Ben and he accepted my position.

"It was hard telling him that, of course it was. But I'd rather do it this way than him not playing in the NRL at all and then there'd be a lot of grief for people.

"I can't guarantee Ben would even play off the bench. He did well defending in the frontline last season but the reality is he would have to defend in the ruck if he played off the bench and that's a big ask."

- AAP