The Broncos coach noticed all the little efforts in the 50-14 win and singled out one specific player.
Michael Maguire has singled out and praised Selwyn Cobbo for his full-field attempt to stop a try in the opening round of the NRL as the winger justified the coach’s faith in his positional switch. The Broncos got their season off to the best possible start having thumped the hapless Roosters 50-14 with Payne Haas, Reece Walsh, Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds all proving to be the difference in the opening round.
Cobbo and Jesse Arthars were among the tries as the Broncos backline ripped the Roosters to shreds. And while Maguire’s decision to move Cobbo back to the wing for the club’s season opener was praised as a brilliant decision, it was Cobbo’s efforts in defence that pleased the coach more than his hat-trick.
In the first try of the game, Robert Toai busted through the Broncos defensive line and charged 60m down the field. He then offloaded the ball to Dominic Young who managed to escape the grasp of Walsh.
However, Cobbo came charging down from the opposite side of the field and managed to get hold of Young. The Roosters winger managed to break free and dived over the line to open the scoring. And while the Roosters had initially shocked the Broncos with the first try, Maguire was noticing the little moments.
The coach admitted Cobbo’s effort to run 80m and attempt a tackle on Young was one of the most satisfying moments from the 50-14 win. “That was great. Selwyn was so disappointed he didn’t get him. Because he put in a great effort,” Maguire said on SEN Radio. “I just said, if you keep doing that you are going to come up with some big plays for your teammates. Doing that…that is what they are all trying to do for each other.”
When asked whether Cory Paix’s try or Cobbo’s effort was more impressive, Maguire admitted he is more pleased to see the winger’s effort as it shows they are working for their teammates. “Probably the effort. Paix’s stuff, which he did close to the line, is what he does…that is the reason why I went with someone like Paix,” Maguire added.
“And Selwyn was just on display in that moment in time. I feel the players enjoy doing that for each other. And we need to bottle that because that is what the good teams are doing.”
Selwyn Cobbo’s future in doubt at Broncos
Maguire’s words would mean a lot to Cobbo who faced plenty of questions over his future at the club heading into round one. Cobbo was moved from centre to the wing with Kotoni Staggs close to securing a long-term deal with the Broncos.
This leaves Cobbo’s future in limbo with the club facing salary cap pressure after the mega-deals of Walsh, Haas and Patrick Carrigan in the last two years. But Maguire’s specific praise of Cobbo might reassure the winger he has a huge future at the Broncos as they look to mount their premiership challenge and shake-up Penrith’s stranglehold on the competition.
Michael Maguire praises veteran halves combo
Maguire also admitted it was nice seeing Hunt and Reynolds combine superbly in their first hit-out together. Reynolds injured his neck during pre-season training and missed a large portion of it heading into round one. And Maguire said the duo should only improve as they find their feet together as a new halves combination.
“They haven’t had a lot of time together, just due to the circumstances in pre-season with Adam, but the more and more I have them on the field, the more you can see they are connecting,” Maguire added. “With their experience they’ve got, their calmness. To have two of those guys out there…both with a kicking option is pretty handy. We can strike on both sides of the field.”
Walsh also praised the team after the game last Thursday and suggested the veteran halves pair were sensational against the Roosters. He even claimed it would be hard for Ezra Mam to walk back into the side if the duo build on their first round efforts.
“We’ve built our pre-season and want to build our year off hard work and fight for everything,” Walsh said to Channel Nine. “I don’t think it’s going to be that easy for ‘Ez’ to come back in and just walk into the team. It’s going to be good that people will be competing for positions, and I feel like it’s going to bring the best out of everyone.”
