Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Seibold has sidestepped questions on James Roberts’ immediate and long-term future after Jack Bird suffered a suspected season-ending knee injury in Friday’s 26-10 victory over Manly.
Seibold this week dropped the incumbent NSW centre amid persistent rumours the 26-year-old wants to reunite with ex-coach Wayne Bennett at South Sydney.
Bird, who replaced Roberts at right centre, looks unlikely to play again this season after suffering a suspecting ACL injury at Suncorp Stadium.
But speaking after his side’s third win of the season, Seibold refused to confirm Roberts will slot straight back into the NRL squad for Friday’s blockbuster clash against the Sydney Roosters.
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“Regardless of what’s reported Jimmy hasn’t come and seen me and asked to speak to other clubs,” Seibold said.
“Obviously he’s got another 18 months with us but it’s good that we’ve got a quality replacement there in James and obviously Jamayne Isaako didn’t play tonight either, so we’ve got a couple of options there.”
Seibold acknowledged the speculation over Roberts’ future but repeated his earlier assertion the former Rabbitohs, Penrith and Gold Coast back has not requested an early release from his contract, which expires at the end of 2020.
He added when asked if he would still consider granting Roberts a release from his contract in light of Bird’s injury: “Jimmy and Jamayne (Isaako), and Tevita (Pangai Junior) being dropped to the bench, that was more on a couple of recent performances I needed to make some change.
“Personally I haven’t had any feedback from Jimmy that he wants to leave but I understand there’s a bit of speculation around but we’ll go back to work tomorrow and Jimmy will be there and we’ll crack on with things.”
The coach continued to dance around the subject when pressed on whether Roberts will return for a mouth-watering battle with Roosters left centre Latrell Mitchell next Friday:
“It’s a good challenge for whoever plays at centre there whether it’s Jimmy or Gehamat (Shibasaki) or Jamayne.
“But what I want to do is have a good look at tonight’s game and have a look at the areas that we can be better with and then pick a team on what we’re confronting, which is obviously Latrell, who’s the best left-centre in the competition at the moment.”
