With no Darren Lockyer to guide a youthful backline, Brisbane’s forwards have pledged to lay a premiership platform as the best defensive pack in the NRL.
The Broncos won’t be the biggest pack in the NRL in 2012.
But they expect to be one of best credentialed with potentially every starter – with the exception of young hooker Andrew McCullough – having played State of Origin or Test football for Australia or New Zealand.
Once the game’s most-decorated prop, Petero Civoniceva serves out his one-match ban against Parramatta in round one, Brisbane’s super six could boast five representative players – Ben Hannant, new skipper Sam Thaiday, Kiwi Alex Glenn and veteran Corey Parker, who played his way back into Queensland colours last season and represented Australia.
“We do have a fair few internationals in our pack but, even the young blokes coming through, they’ve all got that hunger out on the field,” said Glenn, facing a weekly battle with Matt Gillett and Ben Te’o – both keen to partner Thaiday in the Broncos back-row.
“One of our goals this season is to be the best defensive team out there this season.”
Glenn said Brisbane would miss Civoniceva’s leadership qualities in their first game against Parramatta with Josh McGuire, Ben Hannant and Scott Anderson the likely front-row rotation.
The Broncos are privately upset Melbourne officials provided the video to the NRL’s match review committee from their Hobart trial game which led to Civoniceva being charged with a careless grade-three high tackle on Storm forward Ryan Hinchcliffe.
“It’s definitely a letdown not having Petero – he’s a big loss. It’s going to be tough without him but we just have to put in and get on with it,” said Glenn.
The Kiwi international however admitted Civoniceva’s team-mates were disappointed about how his suspension came about.
“We’re all a bit disappointed with it but it’s footy. We’ve got to cop it on the chin and get on with it,” he said.
Glenn warned Civoniceva would be fired up for his delayed return in round two against North Queensland – his first appearance for Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium in five years.
“He’s pretty disappointed at what’s happened,” said Glenn.
“He loves this club and he’s shattered about missing round one.
“He’ll definitely be fired up for the Cowboys game.”
Blazza
Guest
Yea a bit hypocritical that the NRL wanting to see a tackle in which player A knocked out player B. Hahahaha and then the teammates of player A saying there was nothing into it, even though player B was concussed. And its amazing that cannonball tackle that Isaac Luke uses happened when he played for the Storm ahaha. Go back and support your own team and look at what they do before you criticise the Storm. Everybody does the same thing but Melbourne and Manly do it better, hence why they were so good last year. Any who back to the article i already thing Brisbane's forward pack is the best in the NRL and i think it's there only way of making the 8 cause Wallace is really overrated by a lot of Broncos fans and will struggle to be the dominate half when they are relying on a rookie 5/8th in Norman. I like the Broncos but unless their forward pack can help their halves they will struggle.
Bearfax
Guest
The Bronks have the makings of another top side but a little green in the backs yet. No Lockyer and their structure is going to take quite a while to readjust...he was too good a player not to have left a gaping hole in the team. Forwards look strong and as usual Brisbane has half a state to extract top line replacements. But I think they'll struggle to make the 8....2013 a different outcome.
Paul
Guest
Now Locky's retired your back to field with the rest of us that dont have a quality playmaker/Leader.
Chris
Guest
going to be great season for the mighty broncos. 1st class forward pack and a backline bristling with young talent will hopefully allow for us to overcome any shortcomings in the halves. i predict a top 4 finish, we certainly have the squad (and depth) to do so. While they may not be the biggest pack in the comp, i certainly don't think a pack that contains Petero, Hannant, Thaiday, Te'o, Gillett and McGuire is small.
Gaz
Guest
A bit hypocritical the Storm blowing up about an illegal tackle when they are the masterminds of all tackles illegal that have been banned in recent times.