Broncos forwards on notice in jostle for NRL spots

Brisbane’s forward rotation for NRL round one will become clearer after three upcoming trial games where big decisions are set to be made by new coach Michael Maguire.

The Broncos play their opening trial against Burleigh on Saturday before two Pre-Season Challenge showdowns against Gold Coast and Canterbury.

The backline for the March 6 round-one clash with the Sydney Roosters in Sydney, so long as everyone stays fit and healthy, is all but set.

Fullback Reece Walsh along with wingers and centres Selwyn Cobbo, Jesse Arthars, Deine Mariner and Kotoni Staggs will make up the back five. Returned playmaker Ben Hunt and captain Adam Reynolds will be the halves.

The starting pack and bench forward rotation is a real jostle for spots as the Broncos aim for a form reversal after a dismal 12th-placed finish in 2024.

Four hookers – Billy Walters, Cory Paix, Tyson Smoothy and Blake Mozer – are in a showdown for one starting jersey and the No.14 position on the bench.

Payne Haas, in rehab after ankle surgery, will be one starting prop.

Fellow Test forward Pat Carrigan will start in the front-row or lock. If it is as prop then that will allow career bench specialist Kobe Hetherington to start at No.13. Last year’s preferred back-rowers Jordan Riki and Brendan Piakura were well below their best but are expected to be retained.

It is the bench rotation where it will get especially interesting and competitive.

The Broncos struggled whenever Haas and Carrigan were not on the field in 2024. Corey Jensen was a regular starter last year and could feel hard done by if he is relegated to the bench, which is likely if 2024 player of the year Carrigan moves to prop.

Maguire must decide whether to back youth or experience for the other two bench spots.

Prop Xavier Willison, 22, is the most talented and effective of the young brigade and should get a gig after playing 19 matches in 2024.

Fellow prop Ben Te Kura, who stands at 205cm and is just 20, impressed in his three games last year before his season was terminated by injury.

Other front-rowers and second-rowers in contention include veteran Martin Taupau and the trio of Fletcher Baker, Jack Gosiewski and Jaiyden Hunt.

The latter three were underwhelming in 2024 and will be on notice to either aim up or ship out after all were signed by former coach Kevin Walters.

Carrigan said he had full faith whoever was called on could do the job.

“I think there’s a really good group of young forwards here like Kobe, Xavier Willison, Fletcher Baker and Ben Te Kura – and I’m sure I’m missing a few – but we’re really competing for spots and they’re keeping me hungry and making me feel a little bit older now,” he said.

I’m just excited to play with this group of boys. Payne is going to come back into the fray and our backrowers like Jordy (Riki) and Brendan Piakura are another year older, and Jack Gosiewski is (training) unreal too.

“There’s plenty of talent here.”