Boyd gets ready for comeback
BRONCOS skipper Darius Boyd will be back for Brisbane next week as they ramp up their campaign for a top-four finish.
But before the Brisbane’s captain returns from his broken thumb, the club will take a fullback gamble for tonight’s clash with the Bulldogs, with Kodi Nikorima to wear the No.1 jersey.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett revealed the selection shock at training yesterday, with last week’s debutant Jamayne Isaako dropping back to reserve grade with Souths Logan.
Boyd, who said last week he was hoping to be back by Round 21, had a guard around his hand as he trained yesterday, but Bennett confirmed his star back would return for next week’s meeting with the Eels.
The Broncos have had mixed results without Boyd, winning two games against the Raiders and Knights, but also suffering a shocking 42-12 loss to the Storm.
Nikorima, who played at No.1 for most his under-20s days, will be the third fullback Brisbane use in Boyd’s place with Jordan Kahu and Isaako running in the position over the last month.
Bennett said that while Isaako had done nothing wrong in his debut last week against Newcastle, he felt Brisbane needed to change tactics for the meeting with Canterbury.
With even Bennett taking playful jabs at Nikorima’s height, his skill under the high ball is something which is expected to be tested tonight at Suncorp Stadium.
He has shown before he can certainly be outjumped, after last year’s horror performance against towering Melbourne winger Suliasi Vunivalu, but Bulldogs coach Des Hasler was sceptical if the 174cm Nikorima would even start at fullback.