Broncos confront a hairy situation
WAYNE Bennett has denied the Broncos have a hair- pulling problem as Brisbane’s top- four bid copped a double blow with star forwards Josh McGuire and Tevita Pangai Jr to miss Thursday’s Queensland derby against the Cowboys.
McGuire has accepted a onematch contrary conduct suspension for pulling the hair of Bulldogs forward Adam Elliott in last Thursday’s shock loss at ANZ Stadium.
Coach Bennett last night revealed Pangai Jr was set to join him on the sidelines as he battles a groin complaint.
Bennett has also opted to shift captain Darius Boyd back to fullback after axing Jordan Kahu and granting teenage sensation Gehamat Shibasaki his NRL debut.
The explosive Pangai Jr was restricted to 49 minutes in the Canterbury loss after carrying groin and hamstring complaints into the match and is expected to be sidelined for at least a week.
“I don’t think he ( Pangai Jr) will play,” Bennett said yesterday.
“It’s not the hammy, it’s the groin now.”
The loss of Pangai Jr is a massive blow to Brisbane’s late push to sneak into the top four.
Losing to cellar- dwellers Canterbury was a missed opportunity to push further up the ladder and the Broncos must now win their remaining four matches to have any chance of moving into the top four.
Pangai Jr and McGuire are two of Brisbane’s most important forwards and their absence could prove telling against the improving Cowboys at 1300SMILES Stadium.
Bennett faces moving 18- yearold David Fifita into the back row to replace Pangai Jr while Joe Ofahengaue is favoured to start at lock.
Test and Origin star McGuire became the second Broncos player to be charged for pulling a rival’s hair after five- eighth Anthony Milford yanked on the curls of Penrith’s Corey Harawira- Naera a fortnight ago.
Bennett denied there was behavioural problem within the Broncos squad prompting the hairpulling incidents. “They’re no big deal,” he said. “It’s guys frustrated, that’s all. No one is hurting anybody.
“It’s not the image the game wants and that’s all fine with me.
“I’m happy with what’s happened there ( suspension).”
Townsville- born Shibasaki has been on the cusp of the NRL for two years.
The 19- year- old is a Queensland under- 20s representative and is expected to start at left centre, with fullback Jamayne Isaako shifting to the right wing to replace Kahu.
“It will be good for him to debut back home in Townsville,” Isaako said. “I’ve played under- 20s with him and he is strong and athletic.
“He will bring a lot of energy if he is to make his debut this week.”