League: Broncos' proud new father Thaiday focuses on Cowboys clash

Sam Thaiday of the Broncos. Photo / Getty Images

Brisbane captain Sam Thaiday will have a new fan tonight when he leads Brisbane in the NRL clash with North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium - his one-day-old baby daughter.

The proud new father though wanted to keep his focus on the blockbuster clash with the Cowboys, saying he'd talk about the birth and becoming a first-time father after Friday night's game.

Thaiday trained with Brisbane yesterday and it was left to coach Anthony Griffin to confirm the baby's arrival when he spoke after training.

•Highly-rated Gold Coast youngster Sam Irwin will make his NRL debut against Parramatta on Sunday.

The 19-year-old Irwin, who was born in the Northern Territory, will take on the Eels after hooker Beau Falloon was ruled out with appendicitis.

Falloon, who was set to replace injured Matt Srama (shoulder) in the Titans' starting team, was admitted to hospital yesterday morning forcing coach John Cartwright to call on Irwin.

Irwin stands only 171cm tall but is regarded as one of the strongest players at the club, regularly squatting heavier weights than bigger first-grade stars such as Greg Bird.

Irwin had been tipped to make a first grade debut this year after winning the club's under-20s player of the year award and taking to the field during the Titans' pre-season trial matches.