Broncos to unleash former Reds star Perese

The Broncos will unleash Izaia Perese off the bench against the Panthers on Friday night following the former Super Rugby player's outstanding form in the Intrust Super Cup.

With Alex Glenn (knee) and Matt Gillett (back) both at least a week away from returning, Seibold said Perese would provide backline cover and give the team some strike off the bench.

The 22-year-old rugby union convert has made 117 tackle busts in 15 games for the Redcliffe Dolphins this year.

"It is a really well-deserved debut. He has been playing some really good football for Redcliffe so he will fill that utility role on the bench," Seibold said ahead of the clash at Suncorp Stadium.

"He is there as coverage for the outside backs. Izzy can fill every position pretty much in the back five. Kotoni Staggs has played a fair bit of edge back row as well and if we need to push Tevita [Pangai Jnr] into the middle we have got some options."

Seibold said there was a lot to like about the way Perese had developed in 2019 and he was also confident the occasion would not daunt him after his own experiences playing on the big stage for the Reds.

"He leads the tackle breaks in the Queensland Cup [Intrust Super Cup] and Adam Mogg, who coaches him, says Izzy has really improved with his understanding of the game," Seibold said.

"Izzy played rugby league as a kid but the bulk of the last four or five years he has played rugby union and Super Rugby with the Reds. He has some X factor about him. He is only very young but it is really exciting to give him the opportunity.

"Izzy has played under the bright lights of Suncorp before in the Reds jersey. Now it is an opportunity to do it in the Broncos jersey."

Seibold also used his match eve press conference to come to the defence of Brisbane captain and five-eighth Darius Boyd.

The former Test and Origin star was again under scrutiny this week after making just one run for one metre in the 18-14 win over the Cowboys.

Seibold said "everyone needs to back off Darius".

"For whatever reason Darius seems to be an easy target. I had a look through the competition from last weekend and there is an Australian number six playing in Sydney who only made four metres and missed five tackles and not one thing was said in the media about that," Seibold said.

"His team won and our team won last week ... but because Darius only had one run he's been crucified all week from what I understand.

"His job is to organise our team. He is not a Milford who is going to take the line on often. He is a leader and he is getting better and better.

"We have got a hooker [Jake Turpin] playing seven and a fullback playing six. That is where I think they are best suited at the moment for our team.

"It has been really challenging for them. Essentially they had two sessions to make the change to their respective positions."

Seibold said utility James Segeyaro, who plays his 150th first grade game against the Panthers, had done a tremendous job since arriving at the club mid-season and had been offered a new deal.

"He has added energy, enthusiasm and another experienced player to our team. It is a great credit and reward for Chiko to play his 150th game because earlier this year he was a barista and playing for Newtown in the NSW Cup," he said.

"We made Chiko an offer for the next two years and we'd like him to stay."