Broncos Magic Round team news: Brisbane’s forward pack shake-up set for permanent change

Michael Maguire is ready to shake-up his back row on a permanent basis on the back of the Broncos’ first-half demolition of Canterbury.

Michael Maguire says Xavier Willison can be as destructive as Broncos legend Brad Thorn as the Brisbane coach looks to inject some X-factor for Sunday’s grand final replay against Penrith.

Maguire is ready to shake-up his back row on a permanent basis by deploying front-rower Willison in explosive bursts out wide to add more attacking punch on Brisbane’s left edge.

SEE THE TEAM LISTS FOR NRL MAGIC ROUND BELOW

Graded as a prop, Willison was outstanding in the back row in last week’s 42-18 demolition of the Bulldogs, scoring a try and charging for 138 metres as he forged a lethal one-two punch with halfback Adam Reynolds.

In a huge boost for Sunday’s Magic Round tussle against the premiers, Reynolds (shoulder) is set to play in the No.7 jumper, while Willison has been retained in the back row, putting him on a collision course with Penrith champion Liam Martin.

Thorn is one of the greatest back-rowers in NRL history, playing 200 games for Brisbane and winning four premierships from 1997-2006 before defecting to rugby union to represent the All Blacks.

Like Thorn, Willison was born in New Zealand and their physical parallels are undeniable.

At 199cm and 113kg, Willison is four centimetres taller and three kilograms lighter than Brisbane’s back-row icon.

“Xavier reminds me of Brad Thorn, actually,” Maguire said.

“Obviously, Xavier has a long way to go, but it gives him something to go after.

Xavier Willison. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

“There’s no reason when you have those same physical attributes that Xavier has that he can’t achieve in the game what Brad Thorn did.

“Xavier is pretty astute about what he wants to do each week.

“If he keeps improving, he can really blossom as a player.”

Now 22, Willison made his NRL debut as an 18-year-old in 2021 and has managed just 38 first-grade games due to a number of lower-leg injuries, including two knee reconstructions while still a teenager.

But the hulking Hamilton product refused to give up hope and made major progress with 19 games last season before the arrival of Maguire, who believes Willison can wreak havoc on the edges.

Willison is relishing combining with grand-final back-rower Jordan Riki, who will return to the side after missing last week’s caning of Canterbury with a staph infection.

Xavier Willison scores against Canterbury.

Maguire hasn’t ruled out continuing to use Willison in the front-row, but also likes the damage he can inflict running wider off Reynolds.

“Xavier’s athletic ability is seriously impressive,” Maguire said.

“I always liked Xavier from afar and to work with him now as his coach, to see how hungry he is and the way he goes about his work, there’s a lot of upside to him.

“Every week he plays he is getting more time and understanding how to be in the middle and work with Payne (Haas) and Patty (Carrigan).

“Those combinations are coming along nicely.

“He is only discovering what he can do as a back-rower.

“He was outstanding for us last week. I love his versatility. He has been seen as a prop, but he has another dimension now where he can play in the back row.

“There’s so much opportunity for him to develop as a back-rower.”

Growing up, Willison idolised Sonny Bill Williams and said watching vision of the NRL and All Blacks great helped prepare him for a wider-running role in the second row.

“I’m enjoying it a lot more on an edge,” he said.

“Sonny Bill was my idol. I learnt a lot from him.

“I grew up watching union myself coming from Hamilton, New Zealand, I was a Chiefs boy, and he played for the Chiefs, too.

“I liked how Sonny Bill switched codes and he was a second rower, too.

“(I was) happy to watch his game and learn off him and now I get to play my game.”

ROOSTERS v DOLPHINS

Friday, 8:05pm, Suncorp Stadium

Roosters

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley

Interchange: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Egan Butcher

Reserves: 18. Ethan King 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Chad Townsend 21. Dominic Young 22. Makahesi Makatoa

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Felise Kaufusi 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Francis Molo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Mark Nicholls

Interchange: 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Ray Stone 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Harrison Graham 22. Max Feagai

WARRIORS v COWBOYS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Suncorp Stadium

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Rocco Berry 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Adam Pompey 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Marata Niukore 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Leka Halasima 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Bunty Afoa

Reserves: 18. Tanner Stowers-Smith 20. Samuel Healey 21. Tanah Boyd 22. Eddie Ieremia 23. Edward Kosi

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Interchange: 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess

Reserves: 18. Zac Laybutt 19. Karl Lawton 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Kaiden Lahrs 22. Thomas Mikaele

TITANS v BULLDOGS

Sunday, 1:50pm, Suncorp Stadium

Titans

1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Tom Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

Interchange: 14. Klese Haas 15. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 16 Arama Hau 17. Josiah Pahulu

Reserves: 18. Tony Francis 19. David Fifita 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 21. Tukimihia Simpkins 22. Allan Fitzgibbon

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Bailey Howard 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Blake Taaffe

Reserves: 19. Lipoi Hopoi 20. Blake Wilson 21. Jake Turpin 22. Luke Smith 23. Drew Hutchison

PANTHERS v BRONCOS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Suncorp Stadium

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Liam Henry 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Trent Toelau 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Lindsay Smith 17. Mavrik Geyer

b 18. Daine Laurie 19. Luron Patea 20. Casey McLean 21. Billy Scott 22. Jack Cole

Broncos

1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington

Interchange: 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Brendan Piakura 17. Jaiyden Hunt

Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Martin Taupau 20. Josiah Karapani 21. Jock Madden 22. Benjamin Te Kura

Originally published as Broncos Magic Round team news: Brisbane’s forward pack shake-up set for permanent change