‘Few spots I’m looking at’: Madge reveals new pair in WCC selection hunt — NRL Daily

Broncos coach Michael Maguire has yet to settle on his 20-man squad for this month’s World Club Challenge but has revealed his ploy to avoid complacency among the playing group.

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Maguire says there are several spots up in the air that have to be confirmed before the club fly out to England on the 9th of February. The game against Hull KR will take place on the morning of February 20 (AEDT).

The Broncos coach says he hasn’t told those players on the bubble whether they’ll be apart of the touring squad, believing that’ll create a more willing competition for spots over the next few days.

“I want everyone to train the house down and then I will make a final call next week after training sessions,” Maguire told Code Sports.

It has been reported that six spots are still undecided.

Star back rower Brendan Piakura won’t play with former Dolphin Aublix Tawha the favourite to take Piakura’s place.

Kobe Hetherington (Manly) and Tyson Smoothy (Super League) are the other two players missing from Brisbane’s grand final winning 17, but Maguire signalled a couple of new recruits who could force their way onto the place to England.

“’Obs’ (Tawha) is definitely someone to consider,” Maguire said.

“We’ve lost Kobe and ‘Smooth’, so there’s a few spots I’m looking at. Obs has come in and he has been excellent. Grant Anderson and Tom Duffy have been very good, too.

“Jack (Gosiewski) is back training with ‘Brendy’ (Piakura) being out so I am looking at my options and then I will go from there.”

In addition to Piakura, Hetherington and Smoothy, the other changes to the Broncos’ 2025 grand final side is Ezra Mam starting at five-eighth with Ben Hunt moving to hooker, which pushes Cory Paix to the bench.