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<\/p>\nBrisbane Broncos recruit Aublix Tawha is closing in on a spot in the starting team for the upcoming World Club Challenge.<\/p>\n
Recruited from the Dolphins after a handful of first-grade matches, Tawha has impressed during pre-season training and emerged as one of the leading candidates to replace the injured Brendan Piakura against Super League winners, Hull KR.<\/p>\n
Not afraid to go toe-to-toe with anyone, as evidenced by his melee last year with Spencer Leniu, Tawha is known for his formidability and toughness and is set to have a breakout campaign in Brisbane colours.<\/p>\n
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Watch all 2026 NRL Preseason matches LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n Aublix Tawha and the Brisbane Broncos NRL squad.Source: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n It is understood that Jack Gosiewski and Jaiyden Hunt are also set to come under consideration to start in the back row alongside Jordan Riki.<\/p>\n \u201cObs (Tawha) is a massive candidate to come with us and has definitely put himself in the picture to be able to be on the plane,\u201d coach Michael Maguire told AAP.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been excellent and came into the pre-season flying. <\/p>\n \u201cI have been super-impressed and it is not just myself. It is everyone, just with the way he gone about his professionalism. <\/p>\n \u201cHis will to want to learn has been really impressive and he is asking questions of the coaches and players. He is giving himself one hell of an opportunity to be ready to go for the start of the season.\u201d<\/p>\n Aiming to clinch their third World Club Challenge title, the club will fly to London, England, on February 9 before taking on Hull KR nearly a fortnight later on February 20 (AEDT).<\/p>\n According to AAP, they will then stay at The Lensbury resort, which has hosted several famous sporting sides over the years, including the Australian Kangaroos and New Zealand All Blacks.<\/p>\n The Broncos will also hold a training session against the London Broncos, who are led by coach Jason Demetriou and feature a plethora of former NRL players, including Dean Hawkins and Reagan Campbell-Gillard.<\/p>\n Are Flanagan & Atkinson the answer? | 06:28<\/p>\n THREE-WAY RACE FOR ENGLAND JOB EMERGES<\/p>\n Brad Arthur and Willie Peters have both confirmed interest in leading England at the upcoming Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) as they look to fill the head coaching role left vacant by Shaun Wane.<\/p>\n Following Wane\u2019s departure after the 2025 Ashes Series, several names have been floated as potential replacements.<\/p>\n Over the past few weeks, Sam Burgess, James Graham, Wayne Bennett and Michael Maguire are just a few names who have all emerged as potential candidates.<\/p>\n However, this has now been reduced to three names: Brad Arthur, Brian McDermott and Willie Peters.<\/p>\n Speaking to reporters overseas, Arthur, formerly a coach of the Parramatta Eels, confirmed interest in the international job.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d he said when asked about interest in the role. \u201cI\u2019ve enjoyed my time here. That\u2019s coaching at the elite level. I don\u2019t know where it\u2019s at or what their process is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got some interest in it but my priority and main job and main focus is right here right now with this team. If something opens up there, I\u2019d like to have a conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n A day later, Willie Peters (a former halfback for the Rabbitohs and Dragons and Kangaroos assistant) also confirmed an interest in the job.<\/p>\n \u201cYep, look I\u2019d certainly have a conversation – that\u2019s for sure,\u201d Peters said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d be interested in having a conversation and seeing where it goes from there.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n NINES: Several ex-NRL stars to light up the Gold Coast in stacked Nines comp<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018BEEN RINGING AROUND\u2019: Sharks cult hero managing himself in \u2018now or never\u2019 year<\/a><\/p>\n