OUT-of-sorts prop David Taylor has reportedly signed a three-year deal with Souths after being omitted from Brisbane's NRL side for a fourth successive week.
Taylor's manager Col Davis last night quashed reports the 20-year-old had already agreed to terms with South Sydney on a three-year deal.
However, the Nine Network reported on Tuesday night that Taylor was bound for the Rabbitohs.
It is understood that the Broncos football management and Taylor's agent had agreed to postpone negotiations until he had broken back into the first grade side.
And Broncos boss Bruno Cullen expected that to happen sooner rather than later.
``We expected him back in the first grade side, through form or injury or State of Origin or whatever the case may be,'' Cullen told AAP on Tuesday night.
``It (the television report) is certainly news to me. I have not heard from Dave Taylor, or his management or anyone about that.
``It would not be a good way to find out if it is in fact true.''
Broncos coach
Ivan Henjak yesterday declared he would not be railroaded into picking the out-of-favour enforcer in first grade in order to secure his signature.
"For me that is not an issue, I am picking the team on form and on who I think can get the job done," Henjak said.
"If it affects negotiations then so be it, the most important thing for us is the game we have on the weekend.
"Dave is going OK in
Queensland Cup, but he has some targets he has to reach. He is nearly there and he will start to be considered for the NRL.
"He isn't kicking cans. His attitude is good. He is doing extra work, which we need him to do and he is doing everything possible to get back in the team.
"He is at least putting himself in the picture."
Entering Friday night's derby against the Titans on the back of successive defeats, Henjak said he expected his men to lift for the occasion.
"It is a challenge for everyone at the club," Henjak said.
"For the first time we are feeling a little bit of pressure about getting a result and we are coming into a period that is generally very hard for us and it would be good to put another two points in the bank.
'The atmosphere and the crowd and the build-up to the week, the players will know it's a bit of a different game.
"But they look forward to it. There has been some real crackers between the clubs and it has built up a bit of a tradition in its short history. I'm sure both teams will be ready to play.
"What I have seen so far in the clashes that we've had they've been fairly ferocious and competitive.
"You certainly don't need any help to focus the players, but in saying that we're coming off two losses so I'd expect them to be as focused as they'd ever be."
Broncos hooker Aaron Gorrell has been ruled out with a shoulder injury while Karmichael Hunt (thigh) and Justin Hodges (hamstring) remain in doubt.
