A Broncos young gun is making the most of unique training conditions and relishing the opportunity to learn off a premiership-winning hooker.
Meanwhile on the other end of the spectrum, veteran Bronco Corey Oates has made a startling admission about his last couple of seasons — and has conceded he will be playing for his future in 2022.
And plans for the 2025 Rugby League World Cup have been locked in.
Read on for the latest Off-season Central.
NRL clubs have returned to pre-season following the Christmas break but things look very different to what they usually would at this time of the year.
Usually by January, pre-season training is packed with every contracted player turning up every day. However, Covid-19 has rocked the NRL leaving squads looking a little slim at the moment.
The Broncos are just one of the clubs pushing through, with 16 of their players absent from training at the moment due to contracting Covid. Among those 16 players is hooker Jake Turpin, which has opened up an opportunity for young gun utility Cory Paix to make his mark.
Turpin will return once he’s out of isolation, but for now Paix has some extra responsibilities — something the 21-year-old can only see being a positive.
“It’s our first full week back and there’s no excuses with a few boys away,” Paix told NRL.com.
“We are all training pretty hard the fellas that are here, and once the boys do return I’m sure we’ll gel together nicely again like we did pre-Christmas.
“Because there’s not two players in each position at the moment you are asked to do a bit more so it is tougher but that’s good for my fitness.
“I’m getting a lot more reps there at hooker and that can only benefit me leading into trials.”
Paix is also spending time at training with ex-NRL hooker Matt Ballin who has joined the Broncos as a development coach.
The half-turned-hooker — who is called ‘Sonic’ by his teammates because of his speed — is hoping to add some deception to his game.
“My running game is a strength, so a bit of deception is what I’m after,” Paix said.
“It’s great having Matt Ballin here, a bloke of his calibre, he is helping me every day to get better.
“I’m still pretty new at No.9 but it suits my personality, just getting in and ripping in. My long-term goal is to start at nine but there’s plenty of blokes pushing one another for positions and that’s what we need here.
“What I’ve learned at halfback I can use at hooker as well. The way the game is changing I can use my speed, my skill set, my running game.”
Corey Oates has revealed he contemplated retirement but is now set on earning a new deal with the Broncos beyond 2022.
The 27-year-old’s contract expires in November, making the upcoming season one of his most important yet.
“If you asked me a while ago I would have been pretty hesitant (to keep playing) because I wasn’t feeling great, but that’s because I was doing bugger all for myself,” he said.
“I feel good and think I can last a lot longer now.
“This year means a lot. This is my future this year.
“I’m off-contract and my performances will be everything.”
Oates used to be one of the top-rated wingers in the competition, but his form declined over the last two seasons and he found himself struggling to nail down a spot in the Broncos’ 17 during the last two seasons.
The eight-time State of Origin representative also battled a number of serious injuries, while the club also fell from being a powerhouse to the wooden spoon in 2020 and second last in 2021.
Oates admitted his decline is his own fault and so the 170-game veteran has transformed his approach in a bid to get back to his best.
“It’s been a tough few years, not only for the team but also myself on the field,” he said.
“I haven’t looked after my body. I’ve sort of just moped around and not dealt with all the change too well.
“That’s affected my performances a lot. I just went along with it and did the bare minimum.
“I’ve changed a lot in the last six months.
“At the back end of last year I started doing a lot of extra things for myself and my body. I wish I did it two years ago when things got pretty tough.
“I’m really happy with where I’m progressing. I feel good again and I’m getting my speed, strength and power.
“If I can stay healthy and fit, it will be a pretty good year.”
Xavier Coates’ departure could open the door for Oates to cement a spot on the wing, however new recruits Brenko Lee and Jordan Pereira are also in the mix as well as fellow backs Selwyn Cobbo and Jamayne Isaako.
