Jack Bird to start at halfback against South Sydney but will take Anthony Milford’s No.7 jersey

NOT even Wayne Bennett is certain why Jack Bird will wear the Broncos No. 7 jersey made famous by Allan Langer against South Sydney on Thursday.

Jack Bird and Anthony Milford make for an interesting pairing. (Peter Wallis)

NOT even Wayne Bennett is certain why Jack Bird will wear the Broncos No. 7 jersey made famous by Allan Langer on Thursday.

Bird will start at halfback when the Broncos face South Sydney at ANZ Stadium.

It will be Bird’s first appearance in the No.7 in what will be his 72nd NRL game.

Bennett is flirting with an alliance of Bird and Anthony Milford at Brisbane’s scrumbase after utility Kodi Nikorima failed to fire at halfback.

BIG AMBITION: Payne wants to be next Petero

THE BUNKER: Something in Wayne Bennett has changed

Wayne Bennett wasn’t giving anything away. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Milford played halfback the past two weeks, however the playmaking partners have swapped jerseys this week.

Bird said that he and Milford simply decided to swap numbers.

But in a cryptic series of statements, coach Bennett left reporters perplexed by the motive for the switch.

“It was just a bit of gamesmanship by the coach I suppose, geeing them up a bit,” he said.

Bird is hoping to establish himself at Brisbane. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

“Milly is happy to wear number seven and Jack is happy to wear number six.

“I thought Milly is our five-eighth, that’s his position here.

“The numbers don’t really mean a lot if the players get that into their head at all.

“I was part of the conversation (between Milford and Bird) but didn’t take it too seriously.

“They weren’t too serious. I’m not sure what happened in the end.

“It surprised me. I didn’t know who was wearing what.”

The duo make for an interesting pairing. (Peter Wallis)

Whatever the reason, Bennett has shown faith in Bird partnering Milford again after shifting him during last week’s loss to Melbourne.

In an emotional interview with The Courier-Mail this week, Bird admitted his confidence had been shattered by the midgame move which saw him shifted to left centre after 45 minutes.

Bennett gave Bird a reality check, declaring the NSW Origin star had to be stronger and not get down about being shifted.

And Bird appealed for Bennett to stick with him and Milford in the halves to help the 10th-placed Broncos fight back from a 3-4 start to the season.

Bird wants time to bed in with Milford. (Peter Wallis)

“Milly is a great player and it was my second time playing with him in the halves,” Bird said.

“We’ve still got to work on our combos. With more time there we can move forward and start dishing teams out like we did against the Warriors (27-18 win).

“We’ve got to be more consistent.

“Hopefully (I can stay at five-eighth). It’s the position I started playing NRL at.”

Bird, 23, is in the mix to wear the NSW No.6 jersey during this year’s State of Origin series after Blues legend Andrew Johns nominated him for the role.

Bird said Johns’ anointment had placed more pressure on his shoulders.

“It’s a little bit of a boost, but in saying that it puts a bit of pressure on my back,” he said.

“I start thinking I’ve got to start playing good footy and I start over-thinking things. I start playing not as good as I know I can.

“I’ve got to start playing good footy to get that position. With the way I’m playing I don’t think I deserve it.

“I’ve got a few more weeks to impress them.”

LIVE stream every game of every round of the 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. Get your free two-week Foxtel Now trial and start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW >