Bird returns for Brisbane trial after 287-day layoff

Jack Bird will play his first game for the Brisbane Broncos in 287 days when he lines up in the trial clash against Wynnum-Manly on Saturday night.

The 23-year-old will partner Kotoni Staggs in the centres against the Seagulls after having a strong pre-season following surgery on a nagging sternum injury that led to him playing just eight Telstra Premiership games in 2018.

Bird's last game for Brisbane was last year’s round 10 loss to Manly.

The trial will feature several of the Broncos big guns with David Fifita, Kiwi international Alex Glenn and Tevita Pangai jnr all named in the starting side.

Sean O'Sullivan, who spent 2018 with the Roosters, will play his first game for the Broncos at five-eighth after impressing coach Anthony Seibold with his training ethic and development during the pre-season.

Shaun Fensom makes his first appearance in Broncos colours at prop and highly rated back-rower Jaydn Su'A makes his comeback from ankle surgery on the bench.

It is the return of Bird in the centres that will be of great interest to coach Anthony Seibold after giving the 2016 premiership clarity in the position he will play this year.

Staggs, who is in prime position to hold down the number 14 jersey this year due to his versatility, will keep Bird honest.

The 20-year-old, who represented the Indigenous All Stars last week, said Bird was looking the goods as he prepared for his comeback match.

“He’s been training hard in pre-season and has got his body right. He’s a player that you are going to be looking out for this year," Staggs said after Broncos training on Tuesday.

“He’s been under a lot of pressure but he can play the game.

“He can be our strike player. You saw what he did when he was playing with the Sharks. He was a big part of their team and I think he can be a big part of our team as well this year.”

Brisbane team to face Wynnum-Manly

1. Tesi Niu
2. Richie Kennar

3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Jack Bird
5. Herbie Farnworth
6. Sean O’Sullivan
7. Tom Dearden
8. Payne Haas
9. Jake Turpin
10. Shaun Fensom
11. Alex Glenn
12. David Fifita
13. Tevita Pangai
Interchange:
14. Gehamat Shibasaki
15. Sam Tagataese
16. Thomas Flegler
17. Patrick Carrigan
18. Cory Paix
19. Jamil Hopoate
20. Jaydn Su’A
21. Tanah Boyd
22. Xavier Coates
23. Ilikena Vudogo
Coach: Ben Cross