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Despite the fact that the side was inconsistent throughout their three trial matches - which included 66-18 and 34-12 whoppings at the hands of the Bulldogs and Roosters respectively - there was a strong push by a number of players for the halves positions at the Brisbane Broncos for the first round in 2002.

Both the players who were picked for the Broncos' opening match played in the same positions in the clubs' last trial against the Wests Tigers, which the Brisbane side won 30-16. Shaun Berrigan nabbed the five-eighth role whilst returning star Allan Langer has scored himself the number seven jersey that he held with such brilliance in his first stint with the club.

The club had four players who had oppurtunities in either the number six or seven jerseys during their trials but it was Berrigan and Langer who stood tall over youngsters Elia Tuqiri and Casey

MacGuire in these matches. Berrigan had two games in pivot - against the Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers whilst Allan Langer played the first half against the Canterbury Bulldogs before starring against the Tigers last week-end.

Shaun Berrigan was a star for the Brisbane Broncos during their injury-riddled season before a shoulder injury wrecked his chances for snaring an inaugural State of Origin jersey in 2001. He returned and used his unusualstyle of play to perfection - mixing his solid running and toug defence with an ability to create things out of nothing - whilst lacking a bit of skills that traditional half-backs possess, which is where Allan Langer can help. Berrigan has never played five-eighth before but did a top job in both trials - using all the skills that made him a recognised star in 2001 once more - despite being behind forwards who weren't at full strength.

Allan Langer, on the other hand, only played a single match in Australia in 2001 - the memorable third State of Origin clash. Langer played only 105 of a possible 160 minutes but proved he will be a great success in 2002. While some of the brilliant running is gone - he is still very smart and can mystify opponents with the ball in hand. He has still got a great short passing and kicking game and his organizational skills are a perfect mix for the induvidual Shaun Berrigan.

While Berrigan and Langer scored themselves the opening shot at their respective positions - they by no way shut out challenges from Elia Tuqiri and Casey MacGuire, who could force their way into the side with some quality performances for the Toowoomba Clydesdales.

The positions certainly haven't been finalised and I'm sure Wayne Bennett will be watching with interest as to how his original halves perform this week against the North Queensland Cowboys.