Jack Bird says he never considered backing out on his Brisbane Broncos contract

JACK Bird has opened up on the rumours that have dogged his impending move to Brisbane, reaffirming his commitment to his new club.

BRONCOS-bound sensation Jack Bird has revealed how difficult it was this year dealing with the persistent rumours that he did not want to move to Brisbane.

The former Cronulla centre was rocked by suggestions earlier this year that he wanted to backflip on his million dollar deal with the Broncos to stay with the Sharks.

But Bird says that was never the case and the continual interest in his movements put a bit of pressure on him.

Bird could be at the Red Hill base as soon as November if he misses World Cup selection and said he could not wait to join his new club.

“It was a little bit hard,” he said of the constant scrutiny around his move.

Bird was dogged by rumours after he announced he was joining the Broncos.

“I was going into every game with people thinking I was going to do a backflip. My phone kept ringing and the media kept trying to talk to me.

“If I didn’t want to go to Brisbane, I wouldn’t have signed there and I would have done a backflip by now. But I am true to my word. I want to go to Brisbane and I’m looking forward to the move.”

The other speculation that has surrounded Bird’s decision to go to Brisbane is where he is going to play in 2018.

Bird said last week he did not know what position Wayne Bennett had in mind for him, after it was touted that he could be pushed into lock.

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However, the 22-year-old did discuss playing in the halves when he originally signed his contract in April.

He said that was the talk at the time, but it was not the reason he made the decision to leave Cronulla and he would play wherever Bennett wanted him.

“We did speak about playing in the halves, obviously because Ben Hunt is leaving,” he said.

“But Kodi Nikorima has been playing good football and I guess he’ll probably put that No. 7 jersey on next year with Milf in the No.6.

It remains to be seen where Bird will play in 2018.

“I know I will be in the squad somewhere and I know that Wayne will have a plan.

“(The move) wasn’t particularly because I wanted to play in the halves. I just felt like I needed a change and I felt like Brisbane was the right choice for me.

“I also wanted to play under Wayne as well and try to better myself as a person and player.”

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Bird said he would wait to talk to Bennett about his plans until after the World Cup, given his new coach will be leading England through the tournament.

In the meantime, Bird said he would continue to prepare himself for his own possible World Cup berth with the Australian team and ramp up the search for a house in his new hometown.