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Debut coach Ivan Henjak has thrown out a challenge to speedy Brisbane youngsters Gerard Beale, Antonio Winterstein and Jharal Yow Yeh with the lure off an NRL starting spot against the Cowboys next month.
The teenage trio with trial for one or two wing spots when Brisbane host Canberra at Redcliffe tomorrow night.
A crowd of more than 10,000 tipped for the clash will generate an NRL atmosphere at Dolphin Oval and Henjak has made it even more appealing for the three outside backs by revealing there’s potentially two spots open for the club’s NRL season opening game against the Cowboys.
Henjak, who’ll step out in his first official role as head coach after replacing Wayne Bennett, said tomorrow night’s trial and another against Melbourne next weekend would settle a few selections before the first game.
He has put the emphasis on better ball control from his players after an inconsistent performance against the Titans last weekend.
“What I want is everyone really competing hard and working for each other which is going to be really important with the start we’ve got,” said Henjak.
“The first five games of the year are going to be really tough and we’re going to be relying on each other to cover each other’s backsides.”
The Broncos’ take on the Cowboys, Storm, Warriors, Dragons and Roosters to open the season.
Henjak said 2009 was a new era with new players who had to make their own mark at the Broncos.
“This is their time and they sense it’s a new team and a new coach and a new year,” he said.
“They’re all excited about it and they want to do well. They’ve trained that way in pre-season with a great attitude.”
Some of Brisbane’s big guns will be on show including new signing Israel Folau.
Henjak said Folau would play his first trial mostly in the centres where the giant youngster is keen to make his mark for the Broncos this year.
“Izzy will predominantly be in the centres tomorrow night, we’ll see how it goes but if we get the opportunity we might swap him around,” he said.
Canberra arrived late on Friday with a squad of 26 players and plan to run two teams out against Brisbane.
There’s a possibility Joel Monaghan and Folau could line-up on each other which would be a wonderful spectacle given their individual try scoring abilities.
“Canberra have got some good players in their side with a lot of exciting youngsters too and they will be very keen to perform,” said Henjak
Brisbane bench prop Aaron Sweeney has dropped out of the game with a minor leg injury as a precaution with the likelihood of a heavy ground.
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