XXXX derby: Brisbane Broncos warning to under-pressure Cowboys

Humbled by the Raiders last Saturday the Brisbane Broncos have vowed to make amends while insisting that there is no title complacency at Red Hill.

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Broncos stars have rubbished suggestions they have bought into the premiership hype as they backed superstar fullback Reece Walsh to hit back in Friday night’s blockbuster Cowboys derby.

Brisbane coach Michael Maguire has refused to wield the axe, keeping faith in the 17-man squad that was out enthused by the Raiders in last week’s shock 32-22 loss in Canberra.

Even Maguire questioned whether Brisbane’s season-opening 50-14 belting of the Roosters had gone to their heads, but Broncos duo Pat Carrigan and Jesse Arthars insist there is no title complacency at Red Hill.

The Broncos are hellbent on rebounding quickly against a Cowboys side under pressure to snap a two-match losing streak with a Brisbane derby boilover at Suncorp Stadium.

The XXXX derby will represent the 10th anniversary of the Cowboys’ epic 2015 grand final win over the Broncos, whose class of 2025 are determined to prove they have the mental steel to match their star-studded roster.

Reece Walsh was contained by the Canberra Raiders in round two. Picture: Getty Images

Asked if the Broncos have bought into the title hype, Arthars said: “No. We wanted to put in a strong performance (against Canberra).

“That didn’t happen and we couldn’t get into the flow of the game we wanted and that we practised for.

“That is obviously on us as a team.

“Whatever the hype is, we just want to do what we can do and control what we can control within our four walls.

“These derbies are the games I love playing.

“We have a chance to fix up what we needed to.”

The Broncos may yet make one late change – bench hitman Brendan Pikaura and starting back-rower Jack Gosiewski may switch places on game day.

While Maguire is holding his nerve, North Queensland coach Todd Payten has shaken up the Cowboys after heavy losses to Manly and the Sharks.

Superstar forward Jason Taumalolo returns to the starting side after a stint in the Hostplus Cup, Origin ace Jeremiah Nanai is back on the bench after his round 1 axing and rookie Tom Duffy makes way for Jake Clifford at halfback.

The Cowboys are certain to target Walsh, who had one of the worst games of his career at GIO Stadium, making four errors and running for just 51 metres as Canberra swarmed the Broncos fullback.

Walsh will wage an intriguing backfield battle with Cowboys custodian Scott Drinkwater and Carrigan backed the Maroons maestro to quickly bury his Green Machine shocker.

Carrigan revealed Walsh is working on some new tricks to add to his attacking arsenal.

“We just need Reece to be Reece,” he said.

“I can speak from my own experience, I’ve had a bad game, we’ve all had bad games in the NRL, it’s one bad game, it’s all good.

“We know what he is capable of, he will be right to go.

“He is working on a few things in his game. He will iron things out, but as a team we fully support and back him.

“Reece never gives up. You can look at it as a negative or a positive. When the game is on the line, to have someone like Reece who is not scared to take the game on is pretty exciting.

“He will be right to go.”

Jesse Arthars scored three tries against the Raiders. Picture: NRL Imagery

Arthars agreed.

“Reece is very hard on himself,” he said.

“He holds himself to a high standard.

“If he didn’t do what he wanted to do on the weekend I am sure he will be pushing to play one of his better games this weekend. I fully back him.

“As a back three me, him and (Selwyn) Cobbo are always talking about how we can be better for the team.”

Carrigan dismissed talk of complacency, saying Broncos coach Maguire delivered some home truths after a Raiders defeat in which Brisbane were well beaten in midfield.

“I will keep it (Maguire’s feedback) pretty confidential but we missed the mark on our standards and we know that,” he said.

“As a team we were a bit disconnected on the weekend. We are still finding our way as a new group so first and foremost we have to start the game a bit better.

“He stressed it’s a long year, but week in, week out the NRL is a tough competition and we didn’t respect the footy enough in round 2 and we got bitten on the backside for it.”