Brisbane Broncos 2018 team lacking hard edge, says ex-hooker Michael Ennis

FORMER Brisbane hooker Michael Ennis has slammed the Broncos’ forward pack, claiming they are lacking an intimidation factor for the first time in the glamour club’s history.

Korbin Sims and Alex Glenn of the Broncos looks dejected.

FORMER Brisbane hooker Michael Ennis has savaged the Broncos’ forward pack, claiming they are lacking an intimidation factor for the first time in the glamour club’s history.

The spotlight has been squarely focused misfiring halves Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima after the Broncos’ NRL season-opening loss to St George Illawarra.

But Ennis said the big chink in the Broncos’ armour this year was their lack of size and aggression up front and predicted they wouldn’t intimidate any opposition.

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“It’s the first time in a long time that I’ve seen a Wayne Bennett side without any fear in their forward pack,” Ennis told Fox Sports’ Big League Wrap.

“I don’t think many teams will get on a plane this year and head north thinking, ‘I’ve got the Broncos, how are we going to get through this? And we’re going to be under assault from this forward pack’.

“I mean that genuinely. Wayne Bennett sides have had Brad Thorn, (Petero) Civoniceva, (Shane) Webcke, Peter Ryan and Gorden Tallis.

“He goes to the Dragons and he takes Jeremy Smith and Beau Scott, he takes them to the Knights. He brings Adam Blair to the Broncos with him last year. These are the guys who are willing to do the dirty work.

“I look at that Broncos pack at the moment and other than Josh McGuire, I don’t see it as a formidable forward pack.”

Ennis said Cronulla, Melbourne and North Queensland all possess packs which will strike fear in their oppositions - something the Broncos can’t claim.

Matthew Lodge in action during training.

The Broncos’ only forward signing of any note this season is 116kg Matt Lodge, whose controversial recruitment comes after three years out of the game.

Their losses far outweigh their gains with Blair, Jai Arrow and Herman Ese’ese now playing elsewhere.

While he questioned whether Milford and Nikorima are too similar in their playing styles and incapable of managing a game, Ennis said neither could work their magic if they were playing behind a losing pack.

“The halves can’t come into the game, we can’t see Anthony Milford do what he’s capable of doing without some go-forward,” Ennis said.

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Originally published as Brisbane Broncos 2018 team lacking hard edge, says ex-hooker Michael Ennis