Blore arrival signals major upheaval in Broncos pack
Joel Gould |
Brisbane’s forward pack is in a state of flux and the impending arrival of Melbourne second-rower Shawn Blore is just the start of massive change.
Star prop Payne Haas will join South Sydney next year and his fellow title winning front-row partner Corey Jensen retired on medical grounds on Thursday.
Warriors prop Mitch Barnett will also arrive next season but the makeup of the pack is far from decided.
Second-rowers Jack Gosiewski and Jaiyden Hunt remain unsigned for 2027.
Coach Michael Maguire has a two-pronged goal for the remaining six rounds, with the Broncos set to miss the finals.
He wants to win games and he needs the next generation of forwards to make a statement, such as 22-year-old prop Va’a Semu who will get his chance to start alongside Pat Carrigan and Haas against Newcastle on Saturday night.
“He’s definitely an up-and-comer and the experience he’s had over the last couple of months because of the circumstances we went through, now he’s grown,” Maguire said.
“Being around Patty and Payno … he’s going to gain a hell of a lot of experience from those guys. He’s shown over the last couple of months that he can handle first grade and that’s why I picked him.”
Maguire was reluctant to speak about Blore’s arrival in 2027, on what AAP understands is a two-year deal. The coach said he would do so when “things are confirmed” but he did provide an update on second-rower Brendan Piakura who is on a break after multiple concussions.
“Brendy’s come along all right. He sees a doctor next week, but they think he should be fine to get going in a couple of weeks, which is really positive news for us,” Maguire said.
The coach said there was no doubt over Piakura’s playing future. The Cook Islands international has an issue with his tackling technique which the club will address..
“He’s had a few where he puts his head in the wrong spot, but he plays the game hard,” Maguire said.
” I think we’ve just got to make sure we practice areas of his game … whether it’s fatigue or the application of how he does things.”
Former Brisbane captain Corey Parker has taken a shot on SEN Radio this week at “un-Bronco-like” recruitment after earlier calling on veteran playmaker Ben Hunt to retire to protect his wonderful legacy.
Hunt, 36, will be joined by 32-year-old Barnett and 35-year-old Knights centre Dane Gagai at the Broncos next year.
Maguire does not agree with criticism aimed at the Broncos for signing and re-signing ageing players.
He pointed to 37-year-old Sydney Roosters five-eighth Daly Cherry-Evans and the foil he has been for 24-year-old half Sam Walker after watching the Roosters beat North Queensland 82-12 on Thursday night.
“There are reasons why coaches go towards players like that, to bring the experience to help the younger guys out,” Maguire said.
“Walker was great to watch but when you’ve got a senior player around there assisting, that’s what you can create. People have their viewpoint, but knowing the players that will come here … they’re going to add a hell of a lot to the team.”
AAP