Brisbane Broncos recruit Jack Bird given all clear to make club debut against Tigers in Campbelltown

BRISBANE’S surgeon has given Jack Bird the green light to return from a shoulder reconstruction in Friday night’s clash against the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown.

Jack Bird will debut for the Broncos against the Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium.

BRISBANE’s premiership hopes have received a huge boost with $3.5 million recruit Jack Bird receiving a medical clearance to make his Broncos debut against Wests Tigers tomorrow night.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Brisbane’s surgeon has given Bird the green light to return from a shoulder reconstruction for the round three clash against the unbeaten Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium.

The NSW Origin utility will train at the captain’s run at Red Hill this morning and only needs to get through the session to rubberstamp his Broncos debut at left centre.

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett will confirm Bird’s inclusion in the starting side, at the expense of Tom Opacic, today.

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Jack Bird will debut for the Broncos against the Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium.

Sidelined since November, Bird made a surprise appearance at Broncos headquarters on Tuesday – his 23rd birthday – where he completed an intense 90-minute session in Brisbane’s heat.

Bird reported minor soreness after the session but a visit to leading orthopaedic surgeon Peter Rowan yesterday deemed his rebuilt shoulder ready for the rigours of NRL contact.

The big-money Sharks import was expected to be sidelined until round five but Bird’s recovery has gone well and he will partner NSW Origin hopeful James Roberts in a lethal centre pairing.

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Traditionally a right-edge player, Bird is still learning the tactical nuances of playing left centre but halfback Kodi Nikorima believes the former Shark will give the Broncos backline even more bite.

“We have welcomed him with open arms and he will really enjoy his footy here,” Nikorima said.

The Bird-Roberts alliance will face a daunting assignment against robust Tigers centres Kevin Naiqama and Esan Marsters, who have helped propel the joint-venture club to consecutive wins.

Bird wore a chest guard at training on Tuesday and is likely to do so again tomorrow to protect a minor sternum complaint.

Bird has been sidelined for the opening rounds following a shoulder reconstruction.

In his first interview as a Bronco with The Courier-Mail recently, Bird assured Brisbane fans his best form is yet to come in his quest to help deliver the club’s seventh premiership.

“The Broncos is a new chapter for me. You haven’t seen the best of me in the NRL,” he said.

“All the talk about me not liking centre at the Sharks was a misunderstanding.

“I’m happy to play anywhere at the Broncos. I like having the ball in my hands. I’m not a ball hog but if I’m not in the game, I do tend to go missing.

“James Roberts got a lot of ball here last season and I think the Broncos can do the same for me. I have struck up a good friendship with Jimmy, so hopefully we can be a good centre pairing on the field.

“My goal is to help the Broncos win a grand final. I want to play the best football of my career at this club.”