Broncos recruits called up for World Club Challenge
Joel Gould |
New Brisbane signings Aublix Tawha and Grant Anderson have been named in the 20-man World Club Challenge squad to play Hull KR.
The duo will join highly rated hooker Blake Mozer and prop Ben Talty on the plane that leaves from Brisbane on February 9 to prepare for the February 20 (AEST) showdown.
Back-rowers Jack Gosiewski and Jaiyden Hunt are also in the squad, and along with Tawha will do battle for the sought-after one vacant back-row position, which is available due to the knee injury to premiership winner Brendan Piakura.
It is a stellar achievement for 26-year-old forward Tawha, whose career was revived when current Broncos assistant coach Ben Te’o watched video of him playing country league in Yass.
He had worked as a scaffolder and played rugby in Amsterdam of all places, before getting a lifeline at the Dolphins when Te’o was working there as a coach.
Tawha signed with Brisbane ahead of this season and has been a wrecking ball at training.
Coach Michael Maguire said the former outside back reminded him of New Zealand legend Ruben Wiki, who made the same progression into the forwards.
Test centre Kotoni Staggs has also been impressed with Tawha.
“Aubs has come in flying. I didn’t see much of him at Redcliffe last year, but he has made his mark,” Staggs said.
“He is training well and getting around the boys. He wants to learn and is going to Patty (Carrigan) and Payne (Haas) and asking for tips.
“He will get a shot whenever Madge (Maguire) is ready to pick the team.”
Former Storm flyer Grant Anderson will challenge for an outside-back position, but will have his work cut out to dislodge any of the back five who won the 2025 title.
Late bloomer Talty impressed in his appearances last year and will be in line for a bench spot, while Mozer finally gets a chance with the inner circle after injury curtailed his 2025 season.
“Mozer too has stepped up another level,” Staggs said.
“Obviously he has had a few injuries and had to do a lot of rehab to get back into the team as well.”
Staggs, who played in the Ashes Test series for Australia in the UK, said the Broncos had been preparing for the challenging conditions they would face against Hull KR.
“It still doesn’t change how the back five works, we still have to run hard and try and get quick play-the-balls for our middles,” he said.
“The reffing is a bit different, they allow you to lay on a bit longer, so we are trying some new things in the wrestle room and out on the field. All the boys will have an understanding when the whistle is blown.
“The first 20 minutes is key over there, you have to win the first 20 to set yourself up for the game.”
BRISBANE SQUAD: Grant Anderson, Patrick Carrigan, Jack Gosiewski, Payne Haas, Ben Hunt, Jaiyden Hunt, Corey Jensen, Josiah Karapani, Ezra Mam, Deine Mariner, Blake Mozer, Cory Paix, Adam Reynolds, Jordan Riki, Gehamat Shibasaki, Kotoni Staggs, Ben Talty, Aublix Tawha, Reece Walsh, Xavier Willison
AAP
