Team News: Broncos, Raiders bolters firm for round 1 selection ahead of pre-season challenge

A surprise bolter has emerged at Brisbane, which could see Broncos star Brendan Piakura lose his starting spot, while a popular SuperCoach cheapie is firming for Round One selection.

Unheralded Brisbane forward Jack Gosiewski has emerged as a Round 1 bolter, shaking up the forwards selection battle at Red Hill ahead of the Broncos’ blockbuster season opener against the Sydney Roosters.

Gosiewski’s strong pre-season under coach Michael Maguire is set to be rewarded with a spot in the back row alongside Jordan Riki at Allianz Stadium on March 6.

His selection will likely come at the expense of young Broncos second rower Brendan Piakura, who was hotly tipped to start in the season opener.

Gosiewski has spent time on the training paddock in recent weeks, fine tuning his edge combination with incoming five-eighth Ben Hunt.

It’s believed the 30-year-old has impressed Maguire and other Broncos coaching staff with his work rate and work ethic in what has been a gruelling pre-season at Red Hill.

Unheralded Brisbane forward Jack Gosiewski has emerged as a surprise Round 1 bolter. Picture: Getty Images

Gosiewski joined the Broncos from the Cowboys in 2024 but only managed six games before suffering a broken arm in Round 17 against the Warriors, which prematurely ended his season.

A string of injuries including a long-term hamstring injury during his time at Manly and knee issues while at the Cowboys has limited him to just 28 games in four seasons.

But a fresh Gosiewski has made the most of his clean bill of health over the summer and has forced his way into the Round 1 selection equation.

Maguire handed Gosiewski his NRL debut when the duo were at South Sydney together in 2016.

The move will leave Piakura in a battle to earn a spot on the bench alongside the likes of Kobe Hetherington, Fletcher Baker, Xavier Willison and boom rookie Ben Te Kura.

Gosiewski’s possible elevation to the starting side could see Brendan Piakura benched or drop out of the top-17. Picture: NRL Photos

Maguire had also hinted at shifting Origin forward Pat Carrigan into the front row alongside Payne Haas, who is expected to be fit for Round 1 after ankle surgery, allowing Hetherington to be used at lock forward in 2025.

In Canberra, rising rookie Savelio Tamale is just 80 minutes away from booking his ticket to Las Vegas.

It’s understood the powerful outside back is now the preferred option to replace Albert Hopoate on the wing for the Raiders’ season opener against the Warriors on March 2.

Tamale was left off the team list to face Penrith in the first week of the NRL Pre-Season challenge with coach Ricky Stuart opting to keep the 20-year-old on ice until Canberra’s second trial against the Sharks.

Raiders recruit Savelio Tamale is expected to start for the Raiders in round 1. Picture: NRL Imagery

Tamale had been in a three-way battle with Jed Stuart and Michael Asomua to come in for Hopoate, who is staying in Australia for the birth of his first child, but is said to have made a huge impression on coach Stuart since arriving in the nation’s capital.

While Hopoate is expected to take his place in Stuart’s outfit in Round 2, a powerhouse performance in Las Vegas will leave the coach with an early season selection headache.

Originally published as Team News: Broncos, Raiders bolters firm for round 1 selection ahead of pre-season challenge