Brisbane Broncos news 2022: Coach Kevin Walters slams critics over ‘nepotism’ call for son Billy

Kevin Walters has hit out at talk of a father-son bias when it comes to Broncos selection — and he’s outlined what he wants to see from five-eighth hopeful Billy this weekend.

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has blasted suggestions of nepotism and says performance — not family bloodlines — will determine if his son Billy wins the coveted Broncos’ No.6 jumper for round one.

Walters junior will start at five-eighth for the second consecutive week in Brisbane’s final trial of the pre-season against the Cowboys this Saturday night in Mackay.

That suggests Walters is the front-runner in a four-way shootout with Albert Kelly, Tyson Gamble and Ezra Mam to partner Adam Reynolds in the halves for Brisbane’s premiership opener against Souths on March 11.

The elephant in the room at Red Hill is how coach Walters navigates coaching selection politics directly involving his son.

Coach Kevin Walters has called out suggestions of ‘nepotism’ in his team selections. Picture: Getty

Former Storm coach Chris Anderson famously came under fire in 1999 for picking his son Ben, who played 13 games at five-eighth, only to be dropped during the finals in Melbourne’s eventual surge to win that year’s premiership.

There is a view Billy has to perform even better than expected to justify his place at the Broncos, but Walters hit out at talk of a father-son bias, insisting family ties will not creep into the selection room.

“I take the family side out of it,” Walters said.

“I am a very fair person and I will be fair across the board with whoever does get the (five-eighth) job.

“I am more than capable of making a good decision in that regard along with the coaches and some of the other senior players as well.”

The sons of sporting guns have often spoken of the pressures of living up to a famous surname.

Walters says he has spoken to Billy about the inevitable comparisons to a five-eighth icon who won five premierships at the Broncos, including captaining Brisbane to the premiership in 2000.

“We’ve had those discussions,” the Broncos coach said.

“He is Billy Walters when he is at training and when he is not here, he is Billy Walters my son.

“There is no drama in that. He understands the situation ... like everybody else he could be one of the guys who misses out (for selection for round one).”

Billy Walters (R) is in a fight for the No.6 jersey. Picture: Zak Simmonds

A critical component in Walters’ final decision is defensive solidity at five-eighth.

The Broncos leaked a whopping 695 points last season and Walters wants his second receiver to not only be efficient at running Brisbane’s attack, but reliable without the ball.

If Walters defends well against the Cowboys, he will be pencilled in as Reynolds’ right-hand man.

“I want to see what a typical half does,” Walters said.

“I want to see good things with the ball, but also nice and safe and being defensively solid.

“We leaked too many points last year and we have enough strike outside of our halves to score points, but it’s a matter of stopping points, particularly with our goalline defence.”

RISING STAR’S BIG SHOT AT BRONCOS’ NO.1 SPOT

He has been dubbed Brisbane’s version of Latrell Mitchell and Broncos sensation Selwyn Cobbo will emulate the Souths superstar when he wears the No.1 jumper in Saturday night’s derby trial against the Cowboys.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters has wielded the selection axe in the wake of last week’s patchy 26-all draw against the Titans, giving major promotions to Cobbo and hooker Cory Paix for Brisbane’s final trial of the pre-season in Mackay.

Cobbo started on the wing against the Titans but trained at fullback at Red Hill on Tuesday, while first-choice hooker Jake Turpin is set to be axed for lacking dummy-half creativity in the Gold Coast stalemate, putting Paix in pole position for the No.9 jumper.

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The Broncos will unveil their team on Thursday and The Courier-Mail understands back-rower Jordan Riki and prop Payne Haas will make their 2022 debuts after being rested for Brisbane’s opening two trials.

But the big talking point is the rapid elevation of Cobbo, the 19-year-old who rates Mitchell and Queensland Origin legend Greg Inglis as his Indigenous heroes — and moves just like them.

Darius Boyd (right) keeps a close eye on Selwyn Cobbo at training.

Brisbane’s battle for the fullback spot has been blown wide open after first-choice custodian Tesi Niu suffered a hamstring strain last week which will sideline him for four to six weeks.

Walters roadtested David Mead and Jamayne Isaako at fullback against the Titans, but neither produced a knockout punch to convince the coach they should start at the back in Brisbane’s premiership opener against Souths.

That has opened the door for Cobbo, who at 190cm and 100kg has the physical tools to dominate like Latrell, and a strong showing against the Cowboys could see him clinch the No.1 spot for Brisbane’s round-one clash on March 11.

“We have seen enough from ‘Meady’ and Jamayne last week, this is an opportunity now for Selwyn at fullback,” Walters said.

“We will see him at the back there for the first time at this level.

“The coaches thought it would be an ideal time to give him a go there.”

The Cherbourg whizkid made his NRL debut against the Dragons last June. Cobbo went on to play seven games last season, scoring two tries, but Walters moved to douse the flames of Latrell-like hype engulfing Brisbane’s Indigenous young gun.

Selwyn Cobbo will get a chance to impress at fullback in the Broncos’ trial against the Cowboys. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Selwyn moves like Selwyn Cobbo, he wants to put his own stamp on the game,” Walters said. “It’s fine to be recognised in that group (with Mitchell and Inglis) but he is a long way from those guys.

“Selwyn has a lot of work to do before he can be considered in that frame. Certainly the potential is there for him to be a very good player.

“Selwyn is big and strong, he has some nice skills, but where he needs to improve and develop is his talk and communication at the back. It’s a big thing for a fullback.

“Just watching him at training, he is a natural footballer and normally the natural footballers stand up on game day, so Selwyn is a long-termer for us.”

Paix’s start at hooker, unseating Turpin, is sweet reward for an excellent pre-season.

Cory Paix may have jumped above Jake Turpin in the pecking order at No.9. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Turpin won Brisbane’s most consistent player award last season, but the 22-year-old Paix lifted the intensity against the Titans last Saturday, helping the Broncos salvage a draw after trailing 26-8 entering the final quarter.

“It’s a good opportunity for us to have a good look at Cory starting the game,” Walters said.

“Cory was really good last week and he was also good in our first trial against Wynnum, so he has been rewarded for his form more than anything else.

“Our defence was horrible last week at different stages, so there is plenty to work on for everyone in the team against the Cowboys this week.”

BRONCOS LIKELY TEAM FOR COWBOYS TRIAL

1. Selwyn Cobbo, 2. Jordan Pereira, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Corey Oates, 6. Billy Walters, 7. Albert Kelly, 8. Ryan James, 9. Cory Paix, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Kurt Capewell (c), 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Kobe Hetherington. Bench: 14. Jake Turpin, 15. Pat Carrigan, 16. Tom Flegler, 17. Keenan Palasia, 18. Corey Jensen, 19. Rhys Kennedy, 20. Brenko Lee, 21. Jamayne Isaako.