Broncos coach Anthony Seibold has backed Darius Boyd to start in his Brisbane side come Round 1, while also backing a hooker in the ‘Damien Cook mould’ to make his first-team debut in 2020.

Boyd was relieved of the captaincy in favour of Alex Glenn recently, with his starting berth in the Broncos side not assured.

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A fit-again Jack Bird, Jamayne Isaako’s shift to fullback and the rise of young outside backs Herbie Farnworth and Xavier Coates had led to some casting doubt over Boyd’s future at Red Hill.

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Seibold, however, said that after the Broncos’ night on the pokies and the subsequent 58-0 loss to Parramatta in the finals, he reflected on how he wanted to reshape his squad.

Darius Boyd and coach Anthony Seibold during a Broncos training session Source: News Corp Australia

He named Glenn as captain and insisted that the lows of last year could be a springboard for greater achievements in 2020.

“Failure is a stating point to success in some ways,” he told Channel 9 Queensland.

“It meant that all bets were off and I could make some really clear decisions around the group and what I think the group needed.

“I feel like he’ll be in our team’ Darius, he’s working really hard and I feel like he’s in our best 13.”

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Seibold said that there was a healthy competition for places at the Broncos, and revealed that he was expecting one rising star to make a breakthrough this year.

Last year, foxsports.com.au reported that Cory Paix was seriously being considered as a first-grade No. 9 in 2020.

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Seibold confirmed that the highly-talented Paix was knocking at the door, and welcomed the depth he has at hooker, with Jake Turpin and the experienced Andrew McCullough in his side.

“It’s probably the first time Macca has been challenged with some competition,” Seibold added.

Brisbane Broncos hooker Cory Paix (front) darts past Matt Gillett in training last year Source: AAP

“Jake’s a genuine chance of playing No. 9, so that’s been a challenge for Macca and Cory Paix is a young kid coming through.

“He’s very much in the Damien Cook mould, he’s really sharp out of dummy half.”

Boyd and McCullough will play a trial game this weekend, with the former expected to line up at left centre when the Broncos face the Capras in Rockhampton.

Paix, meanwhile, has been named in the Broncos squad for the Perth Nines.