http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...d/news-story/34a5d27729d9dfdfa9f28e8471a8d06b
Broncos set to snare Cronulla Sharks star Jack Bird
TRAVIS MEYN, The Courier-Mail
an hour ago
THE Broncos are on the verge of landing a major recruitment coup by securing Cronulla’s State of Origin star Jack Bird to solve their halves shortage.
Bird, 22, is expected to finalise his future this week and the Broncos are confident they will land his signature.
The Bird development came as
the Broncos discovered they will be without halfback Ben Hunt (hamstring) for six weeks, allowing Kodi Nikorima to press his claims for the No. 7 jersey.
Brisbane have been secretly courting Bird for two months, holding multiple meetings and tabling an attractive three-year offer to the Blues utility.
While the money is short of the near $1 million-a-season on offer from Newcastle, Bird has a desire to be coached by seven-time premiership winner Wayne Bennett.
Bennett was coach of the Dragons in 2011 when a teenage Bird was coming through St George Illawarra’s junior system.
The sustained success of the Broncos is also a lure compared to Newcastle, who are in contention for a third consecutive wooden spoon.
The Broncos are viewing Bird as a five-eighth option for 2018 to partner Anthony Milford, who will shift to halfback in place of Dragons-bound Hunt.
Should the experiment with Bird at five-eighth fail, Brisbane will still have a versatile young representative player on their books who can play any position in the backline and pinch-hit in the backrow if needed.
Exciting Titans duo Kane Elgey and Ashley Taylor remain off-contract for 2019 and will be the fallback options for the Broncos if Bird and Milford don’t combine as hoped.
While the impending acquisition of Bird for next season is a major boost for the Broncos, Bennett must find a way to keep his team on track in the absence of Hunt.
Nikorima, a New Zealand Test representative, will on Tuesday be named in the No. 7 jersey for the Good Friday derby against the Titans and the Broncos want to see him evolve into a quality back-up playmaker for their starting halves.
Nikorima and Bennett were at Davies Park on Sunday to watch potential Broncos halfbacks Todd Murphy (Norths) and Sam Scarlett (Souths-Logan) push their cases for an NRL call-up.
Neither seized the chance.
Scarlett’s Magpies emerged victorious 42-22, however he failed to finish the game with an ankle injury and Murphy was left dejected by the Devils’ performance.
Nikorima spent the opening month of the season with the Devils and Murphy said he expected the livewire to thrive at halfback for the Broncos.
“Kodi is a classy player,” Murphy said.
“He’s been good (for us). He’s dangerous with his speed.
“He’s back in first grade now so I don’t think we’ll see him.
“He’d take (the halfback opportunity) with both hands. He’s an international player. He played well for us and for the Broncos against the Roosters. He deserves his spot.”
