Returning Payne Haas leads baby Broncos brigade battling incumbents
Brisbane already own the most fearsome young pack in the NRL, but Anthony Seibold will put the blowtorch on the big-name engine room by unleashing the hottest crop of young talent against the incumbents.
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Anthony Seibold has put the blowtorch on Brisbane’s big-name engine room as the Broncos prepare to roll out the hottest crop of young forwards in the NRL.
Monster teenager Payne Haas will make his return from a shoulder reconstruction in Brisbane’s first pre-season trial against Souths Logan in Warwick on Saturday.
Alongside Haas will be emerging props Thomas Flegler and Patrick Carrigan, two of the game’s most highly-rated young front rowers.
The Broncos have had a steady forward pack in recent years with the likes of Matt Gillett, Alex Glenn and the recently retired Sam Thaiday providing consistent performances.
But no Broncos forward can rest easy in 2019 as Seibold prepares to usher in a new generation of front row muscle.
Seibold has inherited a Broncos squad blossoming with emerging talent and he has urged Brisbane’s incumbent forwards to step up to the challenge.
“I want to see actions at training and actions in our trial games,” he said.
“The biggest competition for spots is in our forward pack.
“If you look across our middles, a lot of guys are putting their hand up like Matt Lodge, Tevita Pangai, Joe Ofahengaue and some younger guys like Tom Flegler and Pat Carrigan. You have some old hard heads like Shaun Fensom and Sam Tagataese.”
Haas only lasted three games in his debut NRL season before needing a shoulder reconstruction, but that didn’t stop the Broncos from signing him to a record six-year contract.
The 19-year-old is one of the most exciting young forwards in NRL history, earning comparisons to Cowboys wrecking ball and Dally M champion Jason Taumalolo.
Carrigan, 21, and Flegler, 19, are the next two props coming through the ranks at Red Hill and Seibold will get his first glimpse of the duo in action on Saturday.
While the Broncos’ new coach is mostly settled on his 17 for Brisbane’s Round 1 clash against Melbourne on March 14, Seibold admitted performances during the trials would matter.
“I have a fair idea on the bulk of positions (for Round 1). We have been trying to build some cohesion and connections at training,” he said.
“The way I model our training, we have a depth chart and players know where they stand in the depth chart. Anyone who comes along to our training will see the team in the shirts are the best 13 currently and that changes from day to day or week to week.
“But if you are working hard at training, there is an opportunity to jump ahead of someone. If someone jumps ahead, you go down the pecking order, but I have a pretty good feel for what I feel the shape of the team looks like.”
Prop Patrick Mago played 12 NRL games for the Broncos under former coach Wayne Bennett last year, but said the emergence of Brisbane’s next generation had put him on notice.
“There are heaps of young forwards coming through and a lot of healthy competition,” he said.
“I’ve got to work hard and maintain my spot in the team. There is a lot of talent around and players pushing for a spot.”
Seibold has named English import Andre Savelio to make his return from a knee reconstruction in the trial along with Redcliffe’s Jamil Hopoate, son of controversial ex-Manly player John Hopoate.
Reserve hooker Jake Turpin will start in the No.9 jersey and said he couldn’t wait to see the 125kg Haas back in action.
“Payne is really looking forward to it,” he said.
“Everyone knows he is an exciting young forward coming through.
“Everyone loves playing with Payne.
“It’s freakish to see how quick, big and fit he is.”
BRONCOS SQUAD: Tesi Niu, Richie Kennar, Gehamat Shibasaki, Ed Burns, Herbie Farnworth, Troy Dargan, Tom Dearden, Payne Haas, Jake Turpin, Thomas Flegler, Andre Savelio, Jamil Hopoate, Patrick Carrigan. Bench: Kobe Hetherington, Leenan Palasia, Jordan Grant, Patrick Mago, Ethan Bullemor, Tanah Boyd, Cory Paix, Xavier Coates, Ilikena Vudogo.
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Originally published as Returning Payne Haas leads baby Broncos brigade battling incumbents
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