Locky won’t pile pressure on Broncos
BRONCOS legend Darren Lockyer has ruled out rescuing Brisbane’s misfiring halves Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima following 400 minutes of playmaking pain.
Lockyer will not put his hand up to coach Brisbane’s battling shot-callers in the wake of Kevin Walters’ sudden departure from Red Hill.
The Broncos are wallowing in 12th spot on the NRL ladder after five rounds and face a daunting trip to New Zealand to tackle the unbeaten Warriors on Saturday.
One of Brisbane’s problems is a lack of creativity from Milford and Nikorima, who are yet to produce a try-assist between them in 400 minutes of action this season.
Walters, Brisbane’s attack coach, walked out on the club last week, leaving Wayne Bennett and his assistant Jason Demetriou to guide the Broncos out of a worrying slump.
Lockyer, a 355-game Broncos legend and the club’s last premiership-winning fiveeighth, said he did not want to further complicate the predicament by getting involved.
“Kevvie just left to focus on Origin and I’m conscious of the fact there can be too much information,” he said.
“They’ve got a lot of noise from the outside. They are under a bit of pressure like the rest of the team. They just need to go back to the basics and play to their strengths.
“I don’t see any need to be formally involved.
“I’ve been time poor and I don’t like to commit to stuff that I know I can’t 100 per cent commit to. With Wayne and Jason they can see how things settle down after a month.
“I’m working at the games (for Channel 9) and watching them. I have my opinions and if I feel it’s warranted to give them some information that I think can help their game then I will give it.
“At the same time, I’m very conscious of them playing with clear thoughts and direction.”
Milford showed glimpses of his brilliance in last Saturday’s 15-10 loss to Newcastle, making three line breaks, running for 138m and busting 10 tackles. Nikorima has scored two tries in 2018 but the lack of scoring chances being created for other Broncos players by the halves is a concern for Bennett.
Lockyer said Nikorima and Milford were natural ballrunners, rather than creators, and the Broncos had to adapt.
“Their strength is their running games,” he said. “The tryassists will come in time. All those little things will come. Right now it’s about minimising the damage. They will have to grind out a tough win on the back of character more than talent and then go from there.” LACHLAN Coote will attempt to make a triumphant return for the Cowboys this week, after the fullback was recalled for a must-win match against the Bulldogs.
North Queensland coach Paul Green has reshuffled his backline after the Cowboys last week sunk to their fourthstraight loss, going down to the Warriors in New Zealand.
Coote, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury, will come back into the 17 at fullback for Saturday’s home clash with the Bulldogs, while Ben Hampton will move to the centres at the expense of Javid Bowen.
The return of Coote will be a welcome one for the Cowboys, who want to avoid five