JACK Bird will make his long-awaited return to the field when the Broncos face Wynnum Manly at Kougari Oval in Brisbane this Saturday.

Bird has not played since the complications around a sternum injury became apparent early last season.

He was eventually forced into surgery to have the sternum repaired – all of which came off the back of an off-season shoulder reconstruction.

But the hard work he has done in a long pre-season has been rewarded with a return today.

Bird will start in the centres as he aims to lock down that right-side position for next month’s NRL season opener.

Former Raider and Cowboys Shaun Fensom will play his first game as a Bronco when he starts at prop alongside Payne Haas.

It will be a similar experience for ex-Rooster Sean O’Sullivan, who will begin the game at five-eighth in his first run in a Broncos’ jersey, with Tom Dearden at halfback.

Kotoni Staggs and David Fifita both return from Indigenous All Stars duty to start the game, while Alex Glenn and Tevita Pangai will build some fitness by playing in the back row.

Hooker Jake Turpin, wingers Richie Kennar and Herbie Farnworth, and fullback Tesi Niu all get another chance to impress.

Jaydn Su’A will have his first game since breaking his ankle last year from the bench, where he will begin the game sitting alongside the experienced Sam Tagatese.

A host of younger players that impressed in last week’s 42-0 romp over Souths Logan will also play from the interchange list, including Thomas Flegler, Pat Carrigan, Cory Paix, Jamil Hopoate and Tanah Boyd.

BRONCOS V WYNNUM SEAGULLS

Saturday February 23 - 7pm

Kougari Oval

Tickets available here.

BRONCOS NRL TEAM

1. Tesi Niu

2. Richie Kennar

3. Kotoni Staggs

4. Jack Bird

5. Herbie Farnworth

6. Sean O’Sullivan

7. Tom Dearden

8. Payne Haas

9. Jake Turpin

10. Shaun Fensom

11. Alex Glenn

12. David Fifita

13. Tevita Pangai

Interchange:

14. Gehamat Shibasaki

15. Sam Tagataese

16. Thomas Flegler

17. Patrick Carrigan

18. Cory Paix

19. Jamil Hopoate

20. Jaydn Su’A

21. Tanah Boyd

22. Xavier Coates

23. Ilikena Vudogo

Coach: Ben Cross