Brisbane skipper Darius Boyd insist their week in the UK will prove to be the perfect springboard for their NRL opener against Cronulla on March 2.
Wayne Bennett’s side swapped searing temperatures in Queensland for the somewhat cooler climes of London but skipper Darius Boyd said despite being so far away from home the week has been invaluable.
“It was very cold when we first arrived but it’s been OK as the week has gone on,” Boyd told AAP.
“In many ways it’s easier to get things done when it’s not too hot and I have to say the boys have really enjoyed being over here.
“We came here last year and had a good win over Wigan and it saw us win seven of our first eight games.”
After racing out of the blocks last year, the Broncos flatlined in mid-season winning three of their next 11 matches before recovering at the back-end of the year to reach the finals.
Their campaign finished with a dramatic golden point loss to North Queensland in yet another game for the ages between the sides that contested the 2015 grand final.
Boyd said the Broncos cannot afford another mid-season meltdown this year but denied claims the intense start to the season was the reason for failing to progress past week one of the finals.
“We came here and played in 2015 and only lost the grand final to a field goal in golden point that year, so it’s not a factor,” he said.
“You can look at reasons for this and for that, but the fact is we didn’t play well as a team and lost too many games in mid-season.
“Warrington will be a great test for us and although it’s a trial, it’s going to be a tough game and good chance for us to test ourselves before round one.”
Silvertail47
Roar Rookie
SSTID ,,,, put bluntly,,, Bennetts lost the plot !!!!
SSTID_1970
Roar Rookie
Clearly after that miserable excuse for a performance in the World Club Series when the Wolves ripped the Broncos apart in a case where "art imitated life" the Broncos board has lost it's spring. The springboard that was meant to give them a perfect 10 dive into the new season resulted in an embarrassing bellyflop instead! It is growing more apparent each year as Bennett struggles at the helm coaching both the Broncos and England that there is no "spring left in this old chicken". His ambivalent disinterest may help feed his eagerly adopted "Clint Eastwood" persona but it hardly inspires confidence in his leadership when he looks like he has fallen asleep behind the wheel. In the Four Nations Bennett persisted with Gareth Widdop and Luke Gale in the halves although both were clearly lost and no idea how to lead a team around the field or create or capitalise on opportunities out wide. Clearly George Williams (Wigan) and Kevin Brown (Warrington) were the best options in the halves but this was missed by Bennett who only gave them each a single opportunity (and not playing together). Williams got Man of the Match against Scotland while Brown out performed Widdop against Australia. Similarly Bennett persists with Milford at 5/8 when his attacking options are often stifled and he has no kicking game or abilities as a play maker. His strengths are in running the ball and seizing opportunities for himself, something he would be better able to do from FB where he is free to attack on both sides of the field and is protected from defences until the last minute when he can choose his point of attack. When Milford has time and space to run and dictate terms he is a handful and hard to contain. Defences have adjusted to Milford at 5/8 and have learned to contain his running game. As Milford has little else to offer in creativity to assist the attack, back line movements are often easily snuffed out. Compare this with Darren Lockyer who had a dangerous short kicking game in behind defences and the ability to throw cut out passes as a face pass or behind the line to a sweeping FB. In my view Darius Boyd would be better suited to playing 5/8 and Milford should move to FB. This would allow Boyd as captain, to be more involved in the team and around the ball. He also plays like a 5/8 when he chimes into the back line in any case. As Albert Einstein once said; "the definition of insanity is doing something over and over again and expecting a different result."
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Looks like they'll miss the 8 if that was their springboard
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
The Broncs need to check that there are springs attached to the board. There's the distinct possibility that Wayne took over an ironing board instead.
Mike from tari
Guest
Wayne's taken them over there so he can meet his obligations & grease the Super League coaches for the English team.