NRL Pre-Season: Brisbane Broncos give rookies and new recruits a chance to shine

Brisbane Broncos fans will get a glimpse into the future on Saturday with coach Michael Maguire to run his eye over Brisbane’s train-and-trial hopefuls and development players against the Burleigh Bears.

Boom halfback Coby Black is ready to turn up the heat on Adam Reynolds when the teen sensation prepares to spearhead Brisbane’s pre-season campaign this Saturday night.

New Broncos coach Michael Maguire will roadtest Black, the 18-year-old groomed to succeed Reynolds in the No. 7 jumper, in Brisbane’s maiden pre-season hitout against Burleigh Bears at Pizzey Park.

For Black, it marks a return to the venue where he ran riot last year, posting a stunning 46-point haul with two tries and 19 goals playing for feeder club Burleigh in a 130-0 belting of Wide Bay Bulls.

Black’s blitzkrieg broke a 129-year-old pointscoring record.

Now Black is back to face Burleigh in Broncos colours, with the opening hitout of the 2025 campaign giving the promising playmaker a golden opportunity to impress Maguire.

While captain Reynolds only needs to stay fit to start the premiership at halfback, the Broncos have big plans for Black, who is vying with Jock Madden as part of Brisbane’s succession plan to replace the skipper, who is tipped to retire at season’s end.

Coby Black will take control of the Broncos in the first trial. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Madden will also turn out in the Burleigh trial, with Maguire keen to run his eye over Brisbane’s train-and-trial hopefuls and development players, including former Cowboy Gehamat Shibasaki and Bulldogs fullback recruit Hayze Perham.

But all eyes will be on Black, the incumbent Queensland under-19s halfback who got a taste of senior action in last year’s corresponding pre-season opening trial against Wynnum Manly at Kougari Oval.

Black was at the centre of a selection saga last year when Queensland under-19s selectors were reluctant to pick him, only for coach Ben Te’o to successfully fight for his eventual inclusion.

Te’o is now an assistant coach to Maguire at the Broncos and the former premiership hitman has huge wraps on Black, who has impressed with his composure and booming kicking game.

Standing 180cm and weighing 87kg, Black played five Hostplus Cup games for Souths Logan last year and was promoted to the NRL squad by the Broncos, who have signed the Gold Coast-born schemer until the end of 2026.

Black will be putting pressure on Reynolds to make his NRL debut this season and Brisbane’s skipper welcomed the challenge, saying the classy teenager will bring out the best in the champion halfback.

Coby Black in action for the Queensland Under 19 team in 2024.

Asked about Black’s development, Reynolds said: “When there is competition at training, it makes everyone better.

“It doesn’t matter who you are. If you have competition in the squad, it will make you a better player.

“I like the competition. You see those guys (like Black) leading from the front and they are a bit younger, fresher and fitter and it’s good, it gives me something to chase.

“I love seeing players in my position excel, it drives me to want to get better each and every day and I continually challenge them as well, trying to make them one or two per cent better every day.”

Maguire will keep his NRL big guns in cotton wool for Brisbane’s final two trials, but the Burleigh clash will give a number of players a chance to press their first-grade claims.

Tyson Smoothy, Brisbane’s bench hooker in the 2023 grand final, will play in his bid to keep rising rake Blake Mozer at bay, while 205cm prop Ben Te Kura will enjoy his first hitout of 2025.

Meanwhile, train-and-triallist Sione Hopoate – the 26-year-old son of controversial Manly legend John – is a late bloomer looking to make a statement and secure a long-term future at the Broncos.

Originally published as NRL Pre-Season: Brisbane Broncos give rookies and new recruits a chance to shine