Jack Bird wants to relaunch Brisbane’s NRL season and his NSW career with a blistering performance against the high-flying Raiders in Canberra.
The Broncos are struggling under new coach Anthony Siebold and desperate to avoid a 1-5 start for the second time in the club’s 31-year history.
Bird has been one of the few standouts for Brisbane this season and the former Blues utility said he wants to continue performing and force his way back into the State of Origin arena.
“That’s the goal. I just want to play my best for the Broncos and hopefully if I do that, I get a recall into the Blues team,” Bird said.
“They have a great side and it’s going to be hard to get in there, but I think if I keep trying to play good footy, then hopefully I’ll get a recall.”
Bird backed the Broncos to get their season back on track in the capital on Sunday, and said he was looking forward to lining up against reigning Dally M centre of the year Joey Leilua.
“It’s going to be a good challenge, obviously BJ has been playing well and is in form, he’s a big boy,” Bird said.
“I’ve never been up against him personally, I’ve been up against Crokes (Jarrod Croker) there but that’s the challenge and I’m willing to take it.
“We’re not the only team that have only won one game, it’s not just us, maybe there’s something not quite clicking there but I’ve got great confidence this team can get back to form.”
Brisbane flyer James Roberts’ ill-discipline following an Achilles injury put him offside with Siebold but the Blues star could return for his first game since round three.
“He’s been training well and back with the full squad so fingers crossed he’s out there,” Bird said.
“He looks like he’s got over that injury and his head has cleared from anything that was going on inside it.”