Brisbane’s Vegas squad yet to be set
Backrower Brendan Piakura must pass a fitness test on Wednesday to book a ticket to Las Vegas while a “Baby Bronco” has been banned from flying the flag for Brisbane this weekend.
The Broncos’ Las Vegas contingent will depart Brisbane on Thursday bound for a week-long training camp in Los Angeles before they open their 2024 premiership campaign against the Roosters.
The Broncos are planning to send 22 players to the US to prepare for the NRL’s historic double-header on March 3 at Allegiant Stadium.
The remaining squad members and train-and-trial players will stay in Australia and head to 4 Pines Park on Saturday for the last round of the NRL’s Pre-season Challenge against Manly, which is also sending a squad to America.
Piakura picked up a minor knee injury in last Sunday’s trial win against the Cowboys and Broncos medical staff will examine him on Wednesday morning at Red Hill.
If Piakura has no chance of being fit to face the Roosters, Dragons recruit Jaiyden Hunt is expected to be elevated to the Vegas squad.
Broncos coach Kevin Walters said he would hand opKura portunities to Brisbane’s emerging and fringe players in the trial game.
Backline utility Tristan Sailor was originally in the 20man trial team, but is now in the Vegas squad, however Burleigh fullback Creedence Toia will start at fullback and Penrith recruit Kurt Falls has been named at halfback.
Emerging stars Blake Mozer (hooker) and Ben Te (prop) have also been named in the trial team.
The Broncos had planned to play rising halfback Coby Black against the Sea Eagles but he is banned from playing as he is only 17 years old.
Walters said it was important the Broncos got the basics right early in the season.
“The opening four or five weeks is about getting our own game nice and simple and effective,” he said.
“That’s what we did last year against good opposition. That’s the plan again this year, to just focus on ourselves, particularly defensively. That’s where we need to make more improvements.”