Broncos legend Darren Lockyer rules out coaching struggling halves Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima

BRONCOS legend Darren Lockyer has ruled out rescuing Brisbane’s misfiring halves Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima following 400 minutes of playmaking pain.

Anthony Milford at Broncos training at Red Hill. Pic Annette Dew

BRONCOS legend Darren Lockyer has ruled out rescuing Brisbane’s misfiring halves Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima following 400 minutes of playmaking pain.

Lockyer will not put his hand up to coach Brisbane’s battling shot-callers in the wake of Kevin Walters’ sudden departure from Red Hill.

The Broncos are wallowing in 12th spot on the NRL ladder after five rounds and face a daunting trip to New Zealand to tackle the unbeaten Warriors on Saturday.

One of Brisbane’s problems is a lack of creativity from Milford and Nikorima, who are yet to produce a try-assist between them in 400 minutes of action this season.

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Kodi Nikorima during Broncos training.

Walters, Brisbane’s attack coach, walked out on the club last week, leaving Wayne Bennett and his assistant Jason Demetriou to guide the Broncos out of a worrying slump.

Lockyer, a 355-game Broncos legend and the club’s last premiership-winning five-eighth, said he did not want to further complicate the predicament by getting involved.

“Kevvie just left to focus on Origin and I’m conscious of the fact there can be too much information,” he told The Courier-Mail.

“They’ve got a lot of noise from the outside. They are under a bit of pressure like the rest of the team. They just need to go back to the basics and play to their strengths.

“I don’t see any need to be formally involved. Every now and then in passing conversation I can give my two bobs but I’m also conscious of the guys playing with a clear mind.

“I’ve been time poor and I don’t like to commit to stuff that I know I can’t 100 per cent commit to. With Wayne and Jason they can see how things settle down after a month.

Anthony Milford during Broncos training.

“I’m working at the games (for Channel 9) and watching them. I have my opinions and if I feel it’s warranted to give them some information that I think can help their game then I will give it.

“At the same time, I’m very conscious of them playing with clear thoughts and direction.”

Milford showed glimpses of his brilliance in last Saturday’s 15-10 loss to Newcastle, making three line breaks, running for 138m and busting 10 tackles.

Nikorima has scored two tries in 2018 but the lack of scoring chances being created for other Broncos players by the halves is a concern for Bennett.

Lockyer said Nikorima and Milford were natural ballrunners, rather than creators, and the Broncos had to adapt.

“Their strengths is their running games,” he said.

“The try-assists will come in time. All those little things will come. Right now it’s about minimising the damage.

“They will have to grind out a tough win on the back of character more than talent and then go from there.”

Anthony Milford at Broncos training at Red Hill. Pic Annette Dew

Nikorima (corked thigh) was on restricted training duties on Tuesday and Broncos skipper Darius Boyd defended his halves.

“It’s quite ridiculous how much flak they’re copping,” he said.

“Rugby league is a team sport and always has been. Your halfbacks need forwards to go forward. That’s their job.

“I’m not saying our forwards haven’t done that but in some games during the season we’ve dropped too much ball and we haven’t got in good field position.

“While they would like to play better, I would like to play better, our whole team would like to play better, it’s a collective group.

“When we play as one unit and a team, the halves in particular will probably really shine.”

Broncos hooker Andrew McCullough said Milford showed he was in top touch against the Knights.

“He had three line breaks, scored a try, ran (138) metres and still gets bagged,” he said.

“That’s the way it is at the Broncos, especially playing in those halves combinations.”