Selwyn Cobbo has returned to wing for Brisbane after a stint at centre -- and Jharal Yow Yeh, one of the most electric wingers of the modern era, insists it is a move that can bring out his best.
Yow Yeh''s career was cut short at the Broncos in 2012 by a shocking lower leg injury at the tender age of 22 after he announced himself in the 2011 State of Origin series and three Tests as one of the finest speed demons of his generation.
He wore the famous Broncos No.5 jersey with panache and was a pure winger who understood the art like few others.
Cobbo, 22, is also a Test and Queensland representative who new coach Michael Maguire will play at wing against Canterbury in Saturday night's trial at Redcliffe, and moving forward in the NRL.
"I do like the move. Wingers are so important these days," Yow Yeh told AAP.
"Selwyn is classy on the wing.You have got to be able to finish well and there are small margins in it, but he does that so well.
"Defensively, you have got to be good under the high ball and that is what he is great at. He is safe and confident. Having a big body, you are able to push people off a lot easier when they are coming for you."
Cobbo has scored 37 tries in 47 appearances for the Broncos on the wing but just six in 19 games at centre.
When he plays wing, the Broncos have a 57 percent win rate. At centre, that slips to 37 percent.
It is noteworthy that in 2023 when the Broncos made the grand final he played all but one of 24 games on the wing and scored 20 tries.
Last year, when the Broncos finished 12th, he played 15 of 19 matches at centre.
"In this day and age you've got to be a pretty big winger like Selwyn is because you are taking a lot of carries ... and he is so dangerous in open play," Yow Yeh said.
"I also think that centres are becoming more defensive-minded and maybe Selwyn is not quite there at the moment, defensively.
"He is still so young, right? I think we are all too worried about wanting these kids to be so good at a young age.
"We have to stop thinking about it that way. He is a really good footy player and a great winger. He has played on the wing for Queensland."
Yow Yeh, who scored 33 tries in 60 NRL games, said the wing position at the Broncos was filled with prestige due to the famous premiership winners of the past
"When you play wing at the Brisbane Broncos you know all about the people who have come before you in that No.2 and No.5 jersey ... guys like Lote Tuqiri, Wendell Sailor, Willie Carne and five-time premiership winner Mick Hancock," Yow Yeh said.
"I work in game development with Mick so it is such a cool moment for me to be able to walk in every day and hang out with him.
"I am biased but the No.5 jersey I wore was one I made sure I had pride in.
"That's what Selwyn needs to do, whether it is No.2 or No.5. I am sure he will."
