NRL 2020: Broncos coach Anthony Seibold’s regret at Andrew McCullough’s Newcastle move

With the Brisbane Broncos preparing for payback from Andrew McCullough, coach Anthony Seibold has revealed he has regrets over the veteran hooker’s time at the club coming to an end.

Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Seibold would like to have his time over. Picture: AAP

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Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold has revealed he has “some regrets” over releasing Andrew McCullough as the Broncos discard prepares for payback in Newcastle colours this Thursday night.

In the ultimate twist of fate, McCullough will run out for his third game for the Knights at Central Coast Stadium _ just a month after the Broncos dropped a bombshell by releasing one of their most experienced players.

The move has since backfired, with first-choice hooker Jake Turpin suffering a fractured leg just two weeks after McCullough severed ties with the Broncos after 12 years and 260 games of outstanding service.

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Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Seibold would like to have his time over. Picture: AAP

McCullough could rub salt into Brisbane’s wounds with an in-form Newcastle team and while it was his decision to leave, Seibold says the Broncos could now benefit from the hooker’s experience during their injury saga.

Asked if he regretted releasing the former Queensland Origin No.9, Seibold was candid in his views.

“I can understand that observation,” he said.

“Some decisions you get right and some you get wrong.

“With regards to Macca’s situation a lot of that was driven by Macca.

“He wanted an opportunity to go and start in the number nine somewhere.

Andrew McCullough spent 12 years at the Broncos. Picture: AAP

“Obviously at our club he was behind Jake Turpin. When ‘Turps’ hurt himself a week later, you have some regrets.

“Ultimately it was the right thing for Macca and for our club at the time (to let him go).

“Macca asked the club for a release to fill Jayden Brailey’s position (at Newcastle) and with Jake there and Cory (Paix) as backup we thought we had that position filled.

“Ultimately ‘Turp’s’ got a small crack in his tibia one week later. You make decisions that you think are best for the player, person and club at the time and that was the best decision at the time.”

The rise of Jake Turpin (left) put an end to McCullough’s time in Brisbane. Picture: AAP

The Broncos trained at Red Hill on Tuesday morning with Seibold to decide between skipper Alex Glenn, returning from a nasty calf gash, and rookie Herbie Farnworth at right centre following a hamstring injury to Kotoni Staggs.

Corey Oates, who made his back-row debut last week against Manly, has shifted back to the wing, opening the door for Tevita Pangai Jr to return from suspension for the Newcastle clash.

New recruit Issac Luke will be named in Brisbane’s extended 21-man squad and may yet be a late inclusion on the bench.

“It was really disappointing to lose Kotoni,” Seibold said.

“It was right at the end of training.

“We will have a look at Herbie Farnworth and Alex Glenn to fill that position with Jesse Arthars out.”

Kotoni Staggs will be sidelined with a hamstring injury for up to six weeks. Picture: AAP

Of Pangai Jr, he said: “Tevita will come into the back-row. He has trained really consistently since we have come back from the COVID break. He started the season really well against the Cowboys but was really disappointed with his actions to get suspended.

“He has got an opportunity to go out there and help the team.”

BRISBANE WARY OF DANGEROUS FORMER BRONCO

By Rikki-Lee Arnold

The Broncos will not underestimate the threat of former teammate Andrew McCullough in Thursday’s clash with the Knights, tipping the hooker to leak Brisbane’s secrets to his new club.

McCullough sought an immediate release from Brisbane last month – the club he had been with since he was 13 – to link with Newcastle for the remainder of the 2020 season.

Since the Queensland Origin hooker left Red Hill, the Broncos lost first-choice No.9 Jake Turpin to a fractured leg, forcing them to debut young gun Cory Paix against the Roosters.

Brisbane is expected to officially sign New Zealand international Issac Luke on Tuesday to bring some depth back to the hooker position, but with Thursday’s match looming, the club will have to face the man they let go.

McCullough joined the Knights just before the season resumed. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images.

McCullough has settled in comfortably at Newcastle over the past fortnight and his former teammates are expecting him to be at his best in Gosford.

Fullback Jamayne Isaako said they also expect McCullough to share some of Brisbane’s secrets, making Newcastle an even bigger threat.

“It will be pretty interesting coming up against Macca after he left the group,” Isaako said.

“He spent the whole pre-season with us and played a couple of games at the start (of the season), which will probably benefit them with what he knows about us as a group.

“He knows a fair bit about us and knows how we get around the park so I’m sure being on the opposition, he’ll probably be exploiting us a little bit.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to get a win over him.”

McCullough played 12 years of first grade in Brisbane. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images.

Despite the highly-anticipated showdown between McCullough and his former teammates, Broncos forward Joe Ofahengaue said there was certainly no bad blood between the two.

Ofahengaue said everyone in Brisbane still had a lot of love for the 30-year-old.

“He’s loved here at the club by everyone,” he said.

“It will be a bit weird going up against him. Everyone here is good mates with Macca. We all love him.

“We’re really proud he got his opportunity down there but now we’re playing against him.

“He’s obviously going to be telling them about a lot of our shapes so we’re going to have to try something new on him this week. He’s going to be over there snitching on us.”