James Roberts still on outer at Broncos despite Jack Bird injury

James “The Jet” Roberts will not be boarding a plane to Papua New Guinea to play a Queensland Cup match despite his latest non-selection for the Broncos.

James Roberts is still on the outer at the Broncos. Picture: Adam Head

JAMES “The Jet” Roberts will not be boarding a plane to Papua New Guinea to play a Queensland Cup match despite his latest non-selection for the Broncos.

Instead, the out-of-favour Roberts will be named as a reserve today in the Broncos’ 21-man squad for Friday’s clash with Sydney Roosters.

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Roberts, who was dropped from the side that beat Manly last Friday, trained on the opposition team yesterday at Red Hill, despite the absence of Jack Bird with a season-ending knee injury.

Gehamat Shibasaki is set to move from right wing at right centre, with Jamayne Isaako restored to the wing after a one-week absence from first grade.

Coach Anthony Seibold’s decision means 21-year-old Shibasaki will be marking the in-form Rooster Latrell Mitchell at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night in his fourth NRL match.

However, Roberts will not be released to his notional Intrust Super Cup club Wynnum Manly, who play the Hunters on Sunday in Port Moresby.

James Roberts at training yesterday. Picture: Richard Gosling/AAP

James Roberts at training yesterday. Picture: Adam Head

Seibold and his staff decided it was best for Roberts to devote another week to training at the Broncos rather than go to an ISC club he hasn’t trained with, plus travelling to and from Port Moresby.

The Broncos believe Anthony Milford, who did not train yesterday due to illness, and Tevita Pangai Jr, who was on light duties due to back pain, will both be fit to play the Roosters but need to see how well they train tomorrow.

Roberts’ absence from the top 17 to be named today has escalated speculation about the NSW Origin centre’s future at the Broncos.

But Seibold has evidently concluded that Roberts has not shown him more than Shibasaki at training to warrant a recall to fill the spot vacated by Bird’s injury.

“It’s probably pretty tough to be in that position but he (Roberts) is doing all the right things – at training, at gym, going to meetings – that we ask to get his spot back,’’ teammate Corey Oates said.

“He (Shibasaki) is an aggressive ballrunner and makes good decisions in defence. He’s done well for us when he’s come into the team.’’

Like Roberts, Isaako was dropped for the Manly game but is in favour again as a right winger, with Shibasaki and Kotoni Staggs the centres.

Segeyaro trained with his new clubmates yesterday, but Jake Turpin will retain the role as starting dummy-half in which he did well against Manly.

“He will be a bit of a spark, a bit of an X-Factor player for us,’’ Oates said.

Bird will have surgery on his right knee and his only consolation in a second injury-ruined   season for the Broncos is that his rehabilitation will be finished in plenty of time before the start of the 2020 season.

The Roosters, who pasted Brisbane 36-4 in Round 4, have flagged that skipper Boyd Cordner (concussion) and winger Daniel Tupou (neck) are unlikely to play the Broncos.

“The Roosters will turn up no matter what,’’ Oates said.

“They are the best team in the comp, I reckon.’’