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Jake Turpin ready to meet NRL challenge

3 minute read

Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold says hooker Jake Turpin and halfback Tom Dearden have to step up if they are a chance of an NRL upset over Sydney Roosters.

JAMES SEGEYARO of the Sharks attempts to break through the defence during the NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Cronulla Sharks at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.
JAMES SEGEYARO of the Sharks attempts to break through the defence during the NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Cronulla Sharks at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

They have just five games of NRL experience between them.

And played a total of three top grade matches this year.

But hooker Jake Turpin and halfback Tom Dearden have been identified as the key to a Brisbane upset over star-studded NRL ladder leaders Sydney Roosters on Friday night.

Turpin will run out for just his second game of 2019 - and fourth overall - after last week replacing injured Broncos rake Andrew McCullough (knee) who will be sidelined for at least another month.

And at just 18, Dearden faces the huge task of marking former Test No.7 Cooper Cronk in just the third match of his budding career following Kodi Nikorima's switch to the Warriors.

Yet Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold has asked the youngsters to step up if the hosts are any chance of stopping the defending champion's eight-game winning streak.

"We want Dearden who has played two games and we want Jake Turpin who has played three games in those key positions to stand up tall for us," Seibold said.

"But we are all going out there and believe in ourselves that we can get the job done."

The thought of rising to the Roosters challenge does not faze 22-year-old Turpin.

"My defence is probably the best part of my game. That's probably how people explain how I play - I rip in," he said.

"I love that challenge to get into the big fellas. It doesn't worry me too much.

"And the way we have trained this week, we know we are ready for them."

Turpin is already feeling the heat after PNG international James Segeyaro's signing.

Livewire rake Segeyaro arrived at Red Hill on Monday as a mid-season recruit from Cronulla and is a confirmed bench starter against the Roosters.

It remains to be seen how many more games Turpin starts after Segeyaro's arrival.

However, Turpin has welcomed Segeyaro's challenge.

"It's good to have him here. He's a good fella. He brings a lot of energy at training - I am looking forward to having him here," he said.

"But right now I want to make sure I grab every opportunity I take and not let anyone down."

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