{"id":587737,"date":"2026-04-05T20:46:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T20:46:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/587737\/"},"modified":"2026-04-05T20:46:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T20:46:14","slug":"antonio-verhoeven-brisbane-broncos-nrl-debut-nrl-season-2026-titans-v-broncos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/587737\/","title":{"rendered":"Antonio Verhoeven, Brisbane Broncos, NRL debut, NRL season 2026, Titans v Broncos"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was a debut so unexpected, his family weren\u2019t even able to make to trip to watch him live, but it\u2019s an experience Broncos rookie Antonio Verhoeven will never forget.<\/p>\n

The outside back was named as 19th player on Tuesday for the match against the Titans, but was subbed in with 40 seconds left in the first half for Reece Walsh, who has now been confirmed to have suffered a facial fracture.<\/p>\n

\u201cFamily’s still back in NZ, it was a 50-50 call whether my parents come over, but I talked to them and they said they’ll stay,\u201d Verhoeven said following the game.<\/p>\n

\u201c(But) they’re all at home watching the game (now), so I’ll FaceTime them and they’re all there, supporting me.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I had heaps of support with my homestay as well, they were all there (in the crowd) and my girlfriend’s family as well.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n
\n
\n \"Antonio
\n
\n
\n Antonio Verhoeven still had plenty of support for his debut, even though his family were unable to make the trip from New Zealand.
\n \u00a9Scott Davis \/ NRL Images
\n
\n <\/p>\n

After completing his first ever NRL captain\u2019s run on Friday, many thought his inclusion on the extended six-player bench was for experience, but and eventful and injury-marred 26-12 win to Brisbane saw coach Michael Maguire quick to inject him into the action.<\/p>\n

“It is a pretty special story, coming from Greymouth over there in New Zealand,” Maguire said.<\/p>\n

“Literally three days ago he wasn’t sure if he’d even be running around at training because he drops down sometimes with the juniors.<\/p>\n

“Three days ago we were telling him, ‘you are a chance’. It was just a shame we weren’t able to get mum and dad here. That will come at some stage. It was a special moment.”<\/p>\n


\n
\n
\n \"Playing
\n
\n
\n Playing Hostplus Cup for Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
\n \u00a9QRL
\n
\n <\/p>\n

While he has achieved a career milestone, rugby league was not always his main sport, with the lanky outside back relocating from Aotearoa to Brisbane last year after being scouted from a Condor Sevens tournament while at school.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was actually playing basketball over in New Zealand at the time and then I played a bit of rugby \u2026 it was more basketball, but I did play a little bit of footy growing up back at home,” Verhoeven said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I moved schools to take interest in basketball at the time, so I stepped away from footy for a couple of years just focusing on basketball …\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThen one of my mates asked me to do this Condor Sevens for my school … (and) I’m like, \u2018oh yeah, okay, I’ll come\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cI went to (it), I had a tournament in the North Island and there was a Broncos scout there, and he picked me up from there playing Condor Sevens.”<\/p>\n

Verhoeven played Mal Meninga Cup with the Burleigh Bears last season and this year, made his Hostplus Cup debut this year with the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.<\/p>\n

Having also trained with the NRL squad in the 2026 pre-season, Verhoeven was ready for his top level opportunity, but missed out on making it even more memorable, dropping his chance to score a try on debut.<\/p>\n


\n
\n
\n \"A
\n
\n
\n A try on debut for Antonio Verhoeven goes begging with the ball going out over the sideline.
\n \u00a9Chloe Davis \/ NRL Images
\n
\n <\/p>\n

\u201cThe speed’s a lot different, but it was an unreal experience,\u201d Verhoeven said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI dropped one in the corner, but I should have got that one \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The game capped a big few days for the 19-year-old who earlier in the week also signed a three-year contract extension.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was a really special moment signing for another three years, but I really wanted to with the club,\u201d Verhoeven – who also has Dutch and Tongan heritage said.<\/p>\n

“They’ve been supporting me my whole career, so and they’ve been great to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

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