Staggs can be long-term Broncos No.6 says Gentle
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Kotoni Staggs will be the fifth different starting five-eighth in the last seven games for the Broncos and coach Peter Gentle says he can be a long-term option in the position.
The Broncos have struggled to have any continuity alongside half Tom Dearden with four five-eighths - Brodie Croft, Anthony Milford, Sean O’Sullivan and Tyson Gamble - starting in the past six games.
Milford’s hamstring injury ended his season while Gamble suffered a bad head knock inside the first minute last week against the Eels before Staggs switched to the halves from centre.
Staggs will line up at five-eighth in Brisbane’s final game of the season against the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night and has the coach’s backing.
"He has had a good week and played plenty of footy as a junior in the six jersey," Gentle said.
"Kotoni has got a fair passing game and a pretty decent kicking game so we are excited to see how he goes there.
Broncos v Cowboys - Round 20
"I think he could be a [a long-term five-eighth] because every time he has the ball in his hands he troubles the defence, so having him closer to the action is only going to better for us.
"We spoke to Kotoni about not dressing things up too much, because he is an instinctive player. I think Jack Wighton is a fair comparison.”
The last-placed Broncos must beat the Cowboys to have any chance of avoiding the wooden spoon.
Broncos looking to send Darius out on a high
Gentle said that the motivation would be to send dual-premiership winner Darius Boyd out a winner as the 33-year-old plays his 337th and last NRL game.
Boyd scored the "ceremonial try" to finish the club’s final captain’s run for the year with the players all getting around him to celebrate a stellar career.
"The renegades [reserves] all came out as well. Darius is very popular and so he should be," Gentle said.
"We had a look at some of his stats, his games and what he has done through his career and it really is remarkable. He has had a special career.
"He is meticulous with his preparation and this week is no different to any other. He was still doing his extra kicks at the end and still doing his weights.
"The players are more than willing to go out there and send him out a winner. That is what he deserves."
