NRL 2020: Brisbane Broncos captain Alex Glenn misses training ahead of Round 1

New Broncos captain Alex Glenn is racing the clock to play in Friday’s season-opening clash against the Cowboys, as coach Anthony Seibold settles on his likely replacement.

Tongan torpedo Tevita Pangai Jr is set to be unleashed as an edge backrower for Friday night’s season opener against the Cowboys after Broncos captain Alex Glenn failed to train on Monday.

Glenn ran with the rehabilitation group at Red Hill on Monday, away from the main squad, as he continues to deal with an ongoing hamstring injury.

The club captain is racing the clock to be fit in time for the Round 1 blockbuster but is expected to be given until the end of the week to prove his fitness.

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With Matt Lodge (knee) and Joe Ofahengaue (suspension) already ruled out of Friday’s clash, the Broncos look set to field a starting forward pack with an average age of just 21 and average NRL experience of 35 first-grade games between them.

Tevita Pangai Jr is expected to start in place of Alex Glenn on Friday. Picture: AAP/Darren England.

Patrick Carrigan is likely to lead the team out, wearing the No. 13, and is expected to be joined by Tom Flegler and Payne Haas as the club’s middle forwards.

Boom backrower David Fifita and human wrecking ball Pangai Jr trained on the edges on Monday in a formidable second-row combination.

Jack Bird will help steer the team around after nabbing the fullback spot and said Pangai Jr will be a handful for the Cowboys’ left-hand edge defence.

“Tevita has played a bit of backrow before so we know what he can do,” Bird said.

“He’s a big fella. He’s just got to not get suspended I guess.

“He’s really damaging on the edge.

“Imagine sending him at a little halfback, you wouldn’t want to tackle him.

“He’ll do fine for us with Lexie (Alex Glenn) out with his hamstring. He’ll do a good job for us.”

Jamil Hopoate will make his NRL debut on Friday night. Picture: Annette Dew.

As revealed in The Courier-Mail last week, Jamil Hopoate will make his long-awaited NRL debut on Friday night, playing off the bench alongside Andrew McCullough, Jamayne Isaako and Rhys Kennedy.

The playing group said they were proud of Hopoate to have earnt a possible spot in Friday’s game.

“Jamil has been working really hard,” Bird said.

“He’s obviously had some tough times off the field but he’s worked really hard for a spot. “He’s in great form. He was in some great trial form.

“I’m really looking forward to playing with Jamil.”

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With Isaako expected to be named on the interchange, it will mean kicking duties will likely go to Kotoni Staggs or youngster Jesse Arthars, who was spotted kicking after training this morning.

Arthars will be another Broncos debutant for their Round 1 clash with the Cowboys after securing the right wing position following a strong pre-season and trials performance.