State of Origin record, Wayne Bennett behind James Roberts move to Brisbane

THE Broncos track record with Origin players and the presence of Wayne Bennett were the determining factors in James Roberts’ move to Brisbane.

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THE track record of the Broncos in providing six NSW Origin hopefuls with a stage on which to earn selection played a part in the signing of James Roberts.

Wayne Bennett’s successes with coaching players with chequered backgrounds also carried weight when the twice-sacked Roberts chose this week to join the Broncos rather than one of his former clubs, South Sydney.

Glenn Lazarus, Terry Matterson, Chris Johns, Luke Priddis, Michael De Vere and Peter Wallace have played for the Blues from the Broncos, who have also placed 52 players with Queensland’s Origin team in 28 years.

“There’s no question Wayne Bennett has an ability to turn good footballers into great footballers,’’ Roberts’s manager Jeremy Donovan said.

“It gives them an opportunity to shine on a stage like Origin, in James’ case playing for NSW, with the aspirations of one day representing his country.

“It was a major consideration.

“James felt at ease and comfortable with the Broncos, knowing he had the full support of the coach and the entire club.

“James also liked the way Wayne was able to relate to him and some of the circumstances James has found himself in the past.’’

Roberts was sacked by South Sydney and Penrith before making the most of his chances at the Titans.

Indigenous team coach Laurie Daley said last week he wanted to see how Roberts, selected on the bench, fared in camp for the All-Stars in February with a view to his candidacy for NSW Origin selection.

Roberts is scheduled to train with the Broncos when they resume their pre-season on January 4.

The NRL integrity unit may not have finished by then an examination of the valuation of Roberts, 22, towards the salary cap and the validity of third-party sponsorship deals.

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Pictured at the Broadbeach waters Lawn Bowls club GC Titans players taking part in lawn bowls . James Roberts . Picture Mike Batterham

Broncos chief executive Paul White was involved in contract talks to sign Roberts while maintaining his treatment for brain cancer.

“Playing for the Broncos allowed him to stay on the Gold Coast where he is really happy and settled and that was a big consideration, along with which culture he most wanted to be a part,’’ Donovan said.

Penrith general Phil Gould said the December transfer involving Roberts represented “everything wrong with the NRL’’ and hit out at its “head in the sand leadership’’.

But Gould tweeted he was personally pleased for Roberts.

“Great club. He’ll do very well,’’ he added.

Brisbane firmed to outright premiership favourites early this week as some of the more astute reporters, including those at The Courier-Mail, wrote about the confidence of the Broncos that they would sign Roberts.

One agency put up a betting market in which Roberts was a $2.50 chance to be Brisbane’s top tryscorer in 2016 and $13 to head the NRL try-scoring lists.

Roberts has scored 32 tries in 52 NRL matches, including 16 for Gold Coast last season.