JACK Bird will play his first game in the halves for the Broncos tomorrow in New Zealand.

Halfback Kodi Nikorima was this morning ruled out at training at Mount Albert Grammar School in Auckland after carrying a corked thigh for the past two weeks.

He will be rested for the match against the Warriors at Mount Smart Stadium that is expected to draw a crowd of 20,000.

That brings Tom Opacic into the centres, and Sam Tagataese onto the bench.

Matt Gillett was ruled out of football for at least eight weeks last night because of a fractured neck, but is not expected to require surgery.

Jaydn Su’A started in the second row against the Knights last week when Alex Glenn was injured, so is an option to swap to the opposite edge at kick-off tomorrow.

POSSIBLE BRONCOS NRL TEAM

1. Darius Boyd ©

2. Corey Oates

3. James Roberts

18. Tom Opacic

5. Jamayne Isaako

6. Anthony Milford

4. Jack Bird

8. Matt Lodge

9. Andrew McCullough

10. Tevita Pangai

11. Alex Glenn

17. Jaydn Su’A

13. Josh McGuire

Interchange:

14. Sam Thaiday

15. Joe Ofahengaue

16. Korbin Sims

20. Sam Tagataese

Coach: Wayne Bennett