BLUES BROTHERS BONDING AT BRONCOS
FOR many years a strong Brisbane line-up meant good news for Queensland’s State of Origin hopes.
The 2019 Broncos, however, are looking like a success factory for NSW with James Roberts admitting the club’s Blues brigade are spurring each other on to representative honours.
Tevita Pangai’s barnstorming display against North Queensland on Friday has many wondering if he’s closing in on a NSW call-up, while Jack Bird’s return to fitness and form is also a plus for the Blues.
The Broncos also have Blues aspirants in Kotoni Staggs, Payne Hass and Matt Lodge in their squad. Roberts, who debuted for NSW in last year’s successful campaign against the Maroons, said the six NSW eligible players were all looking out for each other.
“We sort of try and get together and have a bit of coffee as much as we can,” Roberts said. “There is a few of us boys now and starting to get a bit more each year. It’s going to be good later in the year to see how we go.”
Blues coach Brad Fittler said the number of NSW contenders at Red Hill reminded him of groups of teammates he used to drive to success in 2018.
“Last year the key most probably to our success was teams that had NSW players in them were doing really well,” Fittler told Nine’s Sunday Football Show.
Roberts had been a doubt to face the Cowboys on Friday after chronic back spasms in the season-opener against Melbourne. The centre trained yesterday in hot and humid conditions in Brisbane and is confident he’ll be fine to face St George Illawarra at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday.