Gillett’s form has led to Thaiday moving to front row
The Brisbane Broncos have moved captain Sam Thaiday to the front row ahead of their opening round clash against the Manly Sea Eagles, reports Fox Sports.
The form of utility player Matt Gillett is behind the decision to move the Maroons and International representative player out of position.
Thaiday has started each season in the front row for the Broncos but his preferred position is in the second row, where he has played both for Queensland and Australia.
Coach Anthony Griffin has labelled Gillett their best player of the pre-season matches and has explained the change of position was to allow room for the in-form utility player to be in the Broncos run on side.
In another surprising move, forward Ben Hannant has been demoted to the bench despite playing alongside his captain at both Origin and international levels.
The experienced prop has been selected behind up-and-coming player Josh McGuire who looks bound for a representative career.
The selections by Griffin show the depth of players and experience that the Broncos still control despite the retirement of world class players such as Petero Civoniceva and former Australian Darren Lockyer.
With players like Hannant on the bench, rising young players such as Gillett and Corey Norman as well as new star recruit Scott Prince, the Broncos look like finals contenders ahead of the 2013 NRL season.
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