Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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BRISBANE’S forward pack is facing a shake-up, with $3.5 million recruit Jack Bird firming for a future at lock as coach Wayne Bennett prepares for life without chief enforcer Adam Blair.
It is believed Bennett is considering handing Bird the No. 13 jumper next season and returning Maroons lock Josh McGuire to the front row to cover for the potential loss of Blair.
NSW State of Origin utility Bird has been frustrated with his lack of opportunities at centre for Cronulla and was tipped to be moved into the halves at Brisbane to get him closer to the action.
However, the growing uncertainty over Blair’s future at the Broncos has prompted Bennett to explore a contingency plan that involves Bird launching his career at Brisbane in the forwards.
Blair is at the centre of a bidding war between the Knights and the Warriors, who have tabled a $2.4 million deal that involves a job at the club in retirement.
The Kiwi Test star will decide his future this week but is leaning toward the Knights, mindful of the upheaval of moving his wife and two children to New Zealand.
Bird has limited experience at lock but Broncos legend Darren Lockyer, a member of Brisbane’s recruitment-and-retention committee, said he could prove one of the club’s greatest imports locking the scrum.
“Jack’s exact position for the Broncos is yet to be determined, but lock is a great position for him,” Lockyer said.
“He could be one of the best recruits we’ve seen at the Broncos.
“If Adam Blair isn’t there, you could always push Josh McGuire back into the front row and bring Jack into lock.
“Jack does a good job in the centres but sometimes he doesn’t get enough football out there. I like the idea of playing him at lock because it will get him more involved.’’
Blair believes Bird will bring an extra dimension to Brisbane’s offence with his speed, strength, skill and dynamic straight-line running.
McGuire has had a fine season at lock, including a superb Origin campaign for Queensland, but is the logical Plan B replacement if Blair quits Brisbane at season’s end.
“Moose (McGuire) won’t like that (losing the lock position to Bird),” Blair said with a grin.
“Josh will have to step up if I move on and hopefully Sammy Thaiday hangs around to help out the younger forwards.
“I have never met Jack Bird but watching him he seems like a handy player.
‘‘He will be a great acquisition for the Broncos.
“We play a really good brand of football and I am sure it will really suit his game.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...p/news-story/7fd7fcfbe74a0a47ab4a320e7a3e2885
It is believed Bennett is considering handing Bird the No. 13 jumper next season and returning Maroons lock Josh McGuire to the front row to cover for the potential loss of Blair.
NSW State of Origin utility Bird has been frustrated with his lack of opportunities at centre for Cronulla and was tipped to be moved into the halves at Brisbane to get him closer to the action.
However, the growing uncertainty over Blair’s future at the Broncos has prompted Bennett to explore a contingency plan that involves Bird launching his career at Brisbane in the forwards.
Blair is at the centre of a bidding war between the Knights and the Warriors, who have tabled a $2.4 million deal that involves a job at the club in retirement.
The Kiwi Test star will decide his future this week but is leaning toward the Knights, mindful of the upheaval of moving his wife and two children to New Zealand.
Bird has limited experience at lock but Broncos legend Darren Lockyer, a member of Brisbane’s recruitment-and-retention committee, said he could prove one of the club’s greatest imports locking the scrum.
“Jack’s exact position for the Broncos is yet to be determined, but lock is a great position for him,” Lockyer said.
“He could be one of the best recruits we’ve seen at the Broncos.
“If Adam Blair isn’t there, you could always push Josh McGuire back into the front row and bring Jack into lock.
“Jack does a good job in the centres but sometimes he doesn’t get enough football out there. I like the idea of playing him at lock because it will get him more involved.’’
Blair believes Bird will bring an extra dimension to Brisbane’s offence with his speed, strength, skill and dynamic straight-line running.
McGuire has had a fine season at lock, including a superb Origin campaign for Queensland, but is the logical Plan B replacement if Blair quits Brisbane at season’s end.
“Moose (McGuire) won’t like that (losing the lock position to Bird),” Blair said with a grin.
“Josh will have to step up if I move on and hopefully Sammy Thaiday hangs around to help out the younger forwards.
“I have never met Jack Bird but watching him he seems like a handy player.
‘‘He will be a great acquisition for the Broncos.
“We play a really good brand of football and I am sure it will really suit his game.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...p/news-story/7fd7fcfbe74a0a47ab4a320e7a3e2885
