Patrick Carrigan expected to replace Payne Haas on Brisbane’s bench for Round 1

Boom Broncos forward Pat Carrigan has rocketed into the frame for his NRL debut following the suspension of Brisbane front-row sensation Payne Haas.

QLD's Patrick Carrigan. The Queensland Under 20s vs the New South Wales Under 20s at Suncorp Stadium. Pic Peter Wallis

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Boom Broncos forward Pat Carrigan has rocketed into the frame for his NRL debut following the suspension of Brisbane front-row sensation Payne Haas.

Haas’ four-match ban for failing to co-operate with the NRL integrity unit has created a four-way battle between Carrigan, Shaun Fensom, Patrick Mago and Tom Flegler for a place on Brisbane’s interchange bench.

Haas was considered a certainty for a bench spot, but his month-long black-listing has opened the door for Carrigan, who can press his claims in Saturday’s trial against Wynnum Manly at Kougari Oval.

Likened in style to Queensland Origin workhorse Josh McGuire, Carrigan was outstanding in last week’s 42-0 trial defeat of Souths Logan and Seibold believes the 21-year-old could handle an NRL baptism.

Carrigan has been dubbed the next Josh McGuire. Picture by Peter Wallis.

“Pat is in really good physical condition,” Seibold said.

“Both Pat and Tom (Flegler) have got a great deal of potential and were junior representative players. The challenge for Tom and Pat is to show they are up to making their debut in the NRL.

“They will get some time against Wynnum and some time against the Gold Coast Titans next week.

“There is a real competition for spots through our middle forwards and on our interchange bench.

“Those two guys have had good pre-seasons and both are good young professionals.

“I think they’ll both put their hand up and be there or thereabouts for game one.”

The Broncos launch their premiership campaign against big guns the Storm in Melbourne on March 14.

Carrigan is expected to be the next man up after Haas was suspended. Picture by Peter Wallis.

Carrigan averaged 148 metres and 35 tackles per game for Wynnum Manly in the Intrust Super Cup last season, numbers which suggest he would be the perfect bench toiler to complement Brisbane’s attacking weapons.

“The thing I like about Pat is that he is a really coachable young guy, as are a lot of the young guys here,” Seibold said.

“We’ve got a bit of competition in the forwards and a couple of old stagers like Shaun Fenson and Sam Tagataese are playing this week.

“They won’t want to let the young bucks jump in front of them.

“But Pat’s work in pre-season has been high quality. He is a really mature young kid and shows a lot of leadership skills. He will put his hand up for round one. He’ll be ready for the NRL, whenever that opportunity presents itself.”