Broncos coach Michael Maguire defends Ezra Mam amid speculation, asserting he's the long-term five-eighth despite a challenging season.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire has slammed talk of a rift with Ezra Mam and declared the champion pivot is staying at Brisbane amid speculation of a shock move to South Sydney.
Maguire insists Mam is his long-term option at five-eighth as he challenged his embattled Broncos troops to avoid the wooden spoon - starting in Friday night's clash against the Raiders.
The besieged Broncos coach also launched a passionate defence of South Sydney-bound prop Payne Haas after NRL legend Cameron Smith questioned his defensive commitment in last week's loss to the Warriors.
It's been a campaign to forget for Mam. The premiership-winning playmaker has missed the most tackles in the league this season with a whopping 87, including seven in last Saturday's heavy 40-6 loss to the Warriors.
Mam has already been dropped once this season by Maguire - after Brisbane's loss to the Dragons in round 13 - and he goes into the Canberra clash under enormous pressure to muscle up to the Green Machine.