Versatility – is it a hindrance or a help?
For Jack Bird, he’s still unsure.
The young Cronulla centre will make his fifth State of Origin appearance for NSW in the decider against Queensland on Wednesday night. But, in his four appearances so far, Bird has only managed 109 minutes of time on the field. Much less than the 320 minutes he would be almost guaranteed to play – barring injury – in four games for the Sharks.
The 22-year-old is again expected to come off the bench for Laurie Daley’s side in Brisbane and is jumping out of his skin to play more minutes. Part of Bird’s appeal in gaining his position in the squad is his ability to change the game playing anywhere from fullback, centre, five-eighth or lock.
But Bird told the Leader while his versatility might have hindered his playing time, he was also grateful for the opportunities it had provided.
“It probably does [hurt me] a little bit. I probably want to get my own position down pat. But then again there’s a lot of good players that play centre, five-eighth, fullback, lock, wherever I can play,” he said.
“So it probably helps me as well to be versatile where I can make these teams and get to play Origin and hopefully Australia one day. If I’m just stuck in one position maybe I won’t play Origin or Australia if there’s a better centre than me.
“To be honest I haven’t even found it, where my best position is. Because I’ve been playing everywhere, I don’t know. Hopefully one day I find my position.”
Bird is still yet to play an NRL game at Suncorp Stadium, the ground he will call home playing for the Broncos next season. But his experience playing junior and senior State of Origin and under-20s games there have given him enough of a taste for it.
I probably want to get my own position down pat... to be honest I haven’t even found it, where my best position is.
- Jack Bird
His desire to make more of an impact at representative level could see him spend more time in the middle of the field on Wednesday night, with Bird not ruling out minutes at lock or even hooker.
“I’m sure Laurie has a plan for me and I’m down for that. Whether it’s starting or off the bench however he wants to use me I’m sure he’s got a plan,” he said.
“As long as I’m playing I’m happy with that. What else can I do, I can’t really change Laurie’s mind unless I’m playing good footy. There’s obviously a role there for me to play, [it’s] just whether I get on or not. Once I get on we’ve spoken about going in the middle but every time I’ve gone on I’ve been going on in the centres. Sometimes the plan doesn’t go to plan. But hopefully in game three it does and works out for the best.
“I’d probably enjoy playing lock a little bit more. Get my hands on the ball, get in and have a few tackles. I grew up playing lock a little bit when I was younger and if he wants me to play lock I’ll play lock. I haven’t really played lock for big minutes so I’m not sure how I’d go.
“If I had to I’d play nine. It probably wouldn’t be my preferred position. I probably wouldn’t be happy to play nine but if I had to I would. I think the thing I like about lock is just getting out there and playing football, getting your hands on the ball and having runs. I’d probably try to play a different lock style. I wouldn’t try to be like a Paul Gallen kind of lock where it’s like another front-rower. I’d try be like like another five-eighth or fullback. I’d try to bring a bit of energy.”
