Broncos’ plan to make James Roberts into a deadlier weapon
Bigger, stronger, faster — James Roberts is primed to become even more lethal, with Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold formulating a new game plan to get the best from the Broncos’ speed machine.
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James Roberts says he is primed to become even more lethal this season, revealing Broncos coach Anthony Seibold has formulated a new game plan for “The Jet” to terrorise NRL rivals.
The Broncos’ fastest player launches his 2019 campaign when he turns out for the Indigenous All Stars against their New Zealand Maori rivals at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
The 25-year-old runs out for his Aboriginal people buoyed by the most rewarding season of his career last year, having clinched his maiden NSW Origin jumper, sweet reward for his try-scoring brilliance at the Broncos.
Now Brisbane have plans to take Roberts to another level of dominance, with the speed machine hoping a new attacking approach under Seibold can make him the NRL’s No.1 centre.
Speaking for the first time since the sacking of Wayne Bennett, Roberts says he never planned to follow the super coach to South Sydney as he sets his sights on premiership glory at the Broncos.
“I definitely think I can get better this year, a lot better. I haven’t reached my peak,” said Roberts, who will partner NSW Origin teammate Latrell Mitchell in the centres on Friday night.
“I will attack a bit more this year I think. ‘Seibs’ has changed our structures in both defence and attack and I believe it will suit the type of players we have in our team.
“I was always happy to stay at the Broncos. Wayne was good to me but I wanted to see what Seibs could bring as a coach and he has been excellent. He’s a great bloke and I like the way he is planning on using me this year.
“I’ve been working on some smaller things in my game. I need to be more consistent and that’s something the coaching staff are working on to get me to that level.
“I’m really excited about our game plan this year, Seibs has definitely refreshed the group and his ideas have helped me, too.
“Wayne has a job to do with Souths now and I wish him well, but I’m contracted to the Broncos so my focus is on them.
“I need to perform week to week during the season.”
Roberts, who scored one of the tries of the 2018 NRL season with his 70-metre scorcher against the Roosters in round 11, admits he still battling a niggling Achilles injury that affected him last year.
Brisbane’s new training regimen under Seibold has seen Roberts bulk up to 96kg, two kilos heavier than his playing weight last season.
“I’ve put on a few kilos, I’m the heaviest I’ve ever been,” he said.
“It wasn’t quite planned that way. I’m still not 100 per cent fit, I’ve had a few niggles with my Achilles still, so I’m trying to train hard while managing the load I put on my Achilles.
“It’s taken ages for it to heal but I won’t need surgery on it. The medical staff say it will get better with time, so I will definitely be fit for round one.”
Roberts hopes to come charging out of the blocks on Friday night.
“I’m very proud to be wearing the Indigenous jumper again,” he said. “I’m really proud to represent my family and my people … I’m feeling fresh and ready to go.”
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Originally published as Broncos’ plan to make James Roberts into a deadlier weapon
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