League: Broncos side short of stars

Anthony Milford. Photo / Getty Images

Star signing Anthony Milford has been named to make his Brisbane debut but the Broncos' Auckland Nines squad is more of a "who's that" than a "who's who".

Former Canberra strike weapon Milford easily stood out in the 18-strong Brisbane squad captained by hooker Andrew McCullough that will boast 10 players yet to taste NRL action.

Fifteen Broncos were either unavailable or recovering from injury.

Brisbane's six Four Nations stars, Ben Hunt, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker (Australia), Daniel Vidot, Josh McGuire (Samoa) and Adam Blair (New Zealand), were not considered.

Darius Boyd (Achilles) is sidelined until mid-season while injury-plagued Justin Hodges and Jordan Kahu were considered too big a risk with up to six Nines games to be played in two days.

Test and Queensland veteran Hodges has suffered two ruptured Achilles in the past four seasons.

And Jack Reed, Dale Copley, Matt Gillett, David Stagg, Corey Oates and Jarrod Wallace won't play until the final trial weekend in late February as they recover from shoulder reconstructions.

"The Broncos have supported the Auckland Nines concept and will always do so," said Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett. The Broncos were runners-up in the inaugural tournament last year.

"Our situation is we had six players in the Four Nations tournament that only just returned to training and can't be considered for selection.

"And we have six players returning from shoulder reconstructions plus another one, Darius, with an Achilles tendon tear," said Bennett.

"The six players in shoulder rehabilitation will not be going to England for the World Club series game against Wigan [on February 21]," he added.

Broncos Nines squad: Andrew McCullough (c), Ajuma Adams, Elijah Alick, Joe Boyce, Greg Eden, James Gavet, Alex Glenn, Todd Lowrie, Lachlan Maranta, Anthony Milford, Francis Molo, Darren Nicholls, Jayden Nikorima, Kodi Nikorima, Joe Ofahengaue, Tom Opacic, Matt Parcell, Aaron Whitchurch.

- AAP