Josh McGuire has been confirmed to take his place back on the rugby league field – but it will not be in his favoured role.
McGuire was today named in the Broncos’ World Club Series team to take on Wigan at JB Stadium in the north of England on Saturday night (Sunday morning Australian time).
But he will have to wait just that little bit longer to take the field after coach Wayne Bennett chose him on the bench.
McGuire has not played since rupturing his Achilles’ tendon against Newcastle on June 26 last year.
He had originally been expected to return against the Cowboys on February 6 in a trial in Bundaberg, but a hamstring injury set him back a fortnight.
He is on the interchange list with the Broncos starting the same pack that contested last year’s NRL grand final, with Sam Thaiday and Adam Blair in the front row.
It will be the first time McGuire has played off the bench in almost three years, his most recent interchange start in round 14 of the 2013 season.
In the backline English import Greg Eden has won the race for the vacant wing spot after scoring two tries in the trial against the Cowboys, while James Roberts starts in the centres with Jordan Kahu.
With Ben Hunt serving a suspension from last year’s decider, new Kiwi Test half Kodi Nikorima takes over at number seven.
On the bench Travis Waddelll has grabbed the utility spot, with former Bulldog Herman Ese’ese and Tom Opacic named on an extended six-man interchange list.
The match will be shown live free to air on the Gem channel from 5.40am Qld time on Sunday morning.
BRONCOS TEAM TO PLAY WIGAN
1. Darius Boyd
2. Greg Eden
3. Jordan Kahu
4. James Roberts
5. Corey Oates
6. Anthony Milford
7. Kodi Nikorima
8. Sam Thaiday
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Adam Blair
11. Alex Glenn
12. Matt Gillett
13. Corey Parker
Interchange:
14. Jarrod Wallace
15. Josh McGuire
16. Joe Ofahengaue
17. Travis Waddell
18. Herman Ese’ese
19. Tom Opacic
Coach: Wayne Bennett