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George Clarke

Paix out to usurp Walters as Broncos' No.9

Mates Cory Paix (l) and Billy Walters (r) are rivals for Brisbane's No.9 NRL jersey. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Promising Brisbane hooker Cory Paix wants to win the battle for the club's No.9 jersey and force Broncos coach Kevin Walters into picking him ahead of his own son.

Paix is battling with Walters' son Billy and former Melbourne No. 9 Tyson Smoothy to lay claim to the Broncos' hooking role.

Billy Walters, who received a contract extension earlier this year, and Paix shared the role last year.

"We're in a fight at the moment and I'm prepared to fight for the jersey," said Paix, who comes off contract this year.

"It's a good challenge for us all."

The 22-year-old, who has made 29 appearances for Brisbane, laughed off suggestions he was facing an uphill battle when faced with the prospect of going head to head with the coach's son.

"It's all good, Bill is a great player and we've seen that throughout the season just gone," Paix said.

"I've always said I want to make it public that I want to fight for the jersey.

"It's going to come down to whoever trains hardest and I feel like I can improve on a lot in my game.

"He's a good mate of mine and whoever gets the No.9 jersey will do their best job."

There were concerns at Broncos training on Thursday when prized prop Payne Haas withdrew with a minor ankle sprain but the club said the hulking front-rower would only go for scans on Friday if he was still experiencing pain.

"It's pretty mild," Paix said. "I think he'll be fine."

Haas is a guaranteed starter in Brisbane's best 17.

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