Josh McGuire to move into Corey Parker’s position but out of his shadow

STILL to convince some about his highly sought-after change to lock, Josh McGuire will never be Corey Parker, but that is just the way the Broncos like it.

McGuire hasn’t convinced everyone about this shift. Photo: Annette Dew

JOSH McGuire will never be Corey Parker, but that is just the way the Broncos like it.

On Thursday night, Brisbane’s longtime front-rower will officially make his highly sought-after change to lock, replacing retired skipper Parker in the No.13 jersey.

But it is a move that has raised a few eyebrows, following a mixed performance from McGuire in the World Club Series loss to Warrington last month.

Legends of the game, including Andrew Johns and Paul Vautin, questioned last week whether McGuire has the ball-playing skills that Parker had and whether he is better off staying in the front row.

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McGuire hasn’t convinced everyone about this shift. Photo: Annette Dew

Coach Wayne Bennett stuck by his man however when he revealed his 21-man squad for the season-opening clash against the Sharks. And fellow forward Sam Thaiday has endorsed it as the right decision.

Thaiday said fans and critics alike need to realise that McGuire is never going to be Corey Parker and will play the role in a way that suits him best.

“We don’t want him to be Corey Parker, we want him to be Josh McGuire,” Thaiday told The Courier-Mail.

“Fans need to know we can’t replace Corey Parker because we don’t have a cloning machine here.

“The Josh McGuire we know and love here at the Broncos is a tough, aggressive forward. He’s a very, very skilful player. The number on the back doesn’t matter at all.

“As long as he knows what he has to do for this team, I’m sure he’ll be a great lock for this squad.”

Thaiday said fans should expect to see Brisbane playing a new brand of football in 2017 anyway. As well as McGuire bringing his own style to the lock position, the club’s playmakers have been given free rein to roam around the park.

Brisbane have also adopted a new bench for Thursday night’s clash at Shark Park, running out with four forwards, including Alex Glenn, Tevita Pangai Jr, Herman Ese’ese and Jai Arrow.

“It’s always tough when players leave but there are players with different skills that will take over those positions,” Thaiday said.

“It just means the style of football that the Broncos play will change a little bit.”

Tautau Moga looks set to make his Broncos debut. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Bennett also confirmed the inclusion of former Cowboy Tautau Moga over David Mead.

The Titans recruit is included in the 21-man squad as an extra reserve alongside Joe Ofahengaue, Kodi Nikorima and George Fai, but is likely to drop out.

Mead is a Wynnum Manly affiliate but was not named in their 18-man team for Sunday’s clash with Souths Logan.

Nikorima however was named by Norths for their meeting with Townsville, also on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Cronulla have named young hooker Jayden Brailey to make his NRL debut, with the highly rated rake to replace retired star Michael Ennis.

Valentine Holmes (hamstring) was also named in the 21-man squad but is unlikely to play.