Broncos to unleash 'super six' together for first time

Yahoo

4 days ago

It has taken 21 rounds, but Brisbane finally have their dream starting spine and two powerhouse forwards, Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan, set to play together for the first time.
The takeaway from that fact ahead of the home clash with Parramatta on Friday night is that the fifth-placed Broncos' premiership window is well and truly open.
Ideally they would like to be closer than four points outside the vital top four, but they have a chance to make the most of the stars aligning to give them a red-hot crack at the title.
The first-choice spine of Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt had their first game together in the 26-14 win over Gold Coast before the bye.
Prop Haas has returned from two weeks off after he was rested from the Titans match due to a lower back injury, and will partner lock Carrigan in a fearsome pack.
It's all systems go for the Broncos, but it is up to them to make the most of it.
"I'm looking forward to a really strong performance. We've got everything to play for," coach Michael Maguire said.
"There's an opportunity there to be taken. It's not so much about who we're playing, it's about what we're doing. It's really important.
"We've got a fair bit out of the last five weeks, the way we've played."
The Broncos have won their past five games after a sequence of six losses in seven matches.
Haas has been a marvel after going above and beyond to play for the side, despite carrying a lower back injury for most of the year.
"He's worked hard. He's sacrificed a lot of time to make sure his back's right," Maguire said.
"Payne has actually had a real good couple of weeks. I'm glad now that we rested him (against the Titans) ... and he's looking forward to what's ahead."
The return of veteran Hunt against the Titans, from two months out with a hamstring injury, has given the Broncos a second rudder to complement captain Reynolds.
"Having Hunty there, that's pretty handy for us with obviously the experience that he brings," Maguire said.
"He will develop as he keeps going because he hasn't played a lot of nine in recent times, but he's played in big games, so he knows what he's doing."
In injury news, giant prop Ben Te Kura is set for more time on the sidelines after a foot fracture playing for Souths-Logan.
"He's had a really tough run, the big fella. He got a bit of a slight fracture in one of his bones in his feet," Maguire said.
"Unfortunately, he's been in and out. He should be back for two or three games at the back end (of the season), we're hoping."