Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters has given his spine players a straight message about the need to get their defensive houses in order ahead of the baptism of fire that awaits them.
The NRL draw did the Broncos a favour by slating them to play defending premiers Penrith and last year's top-four side North Queensland first up this season, when any deficiencies will be ruthlessly exposed.
As a result Walters has named his strongest spine combination, apart from skipper Adam Reynolds, in the opening NRL Pre-Season Challenge clash with the Gold Coast Titans on the Sunshine Coast on Sunday night.
Brisbane conceded 550 points last season, the fourth worst defensive display in their history. For all the improvements they made in 2022 those numbers were unacceptable. A repeat of that this year will result in the Broncos missing the finals again.
Walters knows fullback Reece Walsh and five-eighth Ezra Mam can attack, but against the Titans it is their defensive display that he will scrutinise the most.
"I just want Reece to be Reece. He is very good in attack but defensively there are some areas where Reece needs to do some work. That starts tomorrow night," Walters said after training on Saturday.
Mam had an excellent breakout season overall in 2022 but missed 18 tackles in two big losses to Parramatta and Melbourne towards the end of the year. He has put on six kilograms this pre-season to assist him in his defensive resolve.
"It wasn't just Ezra that got exposed. That was last year. Ezra has worked really hard on his defence and understands the role he has to play there," Walters said.
"He has put on weight with our performance team and that will help him defensively. We have got a lot of confidence in Ezra in the way he plays."
Mam's main challenger for the spot is former Wests Tigers playmaker Jock Madden, who has a hamstring injury. Walters said Madden should be available the following week against the Cowboys.
Cory Paix will start at hooker with Billy Walters off the bench in the No.9 role. Rake Tyson Smoothy is also on the bench.
"That is one of the jumpers that is certainly wide open at this stage and all three of those guys are aware of that. They need to get their seasons under way with some good, strong defence," Walters said.
"We also need more creativity out of dummy-half from our nines and ...when you play nine you have to be a really good team player and that is what we are looking for as well."
