Walsh’s involvement could have to go to a good better stage within the coming weeks, as halfback and skipper Adam Reynolds left the sphere with 10 minutes remaining.
The 33-year-old, who was initially doubtful for Thursday evening’s conflict with a knee damage, appeared to undergo from the identical concern, twice seen consulting Broncos’ workers earlier than his evening ended prematurely.
Adam Reynolds left the sphere for the Brisbane Broncos late within the contest towards the South Sydney Rabbitohs.Credit score: Scott Davis/NRL Photographs
“I simply stirred up what was already there, it was fairly sore, nevertheless it felt OK throughout the recreation,” Reynolds stated post-game.
“I felt it a bit bit throughout half-time, I assumed it’d be proper to get again on the market, however I damage it within the deal with. The plan is to get a scan within the morning.
“It’s not too severe.”
Jensen makes his case, however Broncos bench wants a elevate
Corey Jensen introduced himself because the inheritor obvious to Thomas Flegler’s No.8 jumper with a sometimes sturdy show, however Walters might have to contemplate a tweak to the make-up of his interchange.
The 30-year-old prop, who was initially named to begin in Las Vegas earlier than swapping to the bench for Marty Taupau, was at his no-nonsense finest towards the Rabbitohs.
It was simply the form of go ahead the Broncos wanted to go with Payne Haas, who clearly missed his former accomplice in crime Flegler of their opening spherical defeat to the Roosters.
However for the second week working, Brisbane’s interchange didn’t make the identical form of affect that made them an 80-minute risk in final 12 months’s cost to the grand closing.
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In 2023, Keenan Palasia returned from his axing to order grade and proved invaluable towards tiring packs, and ensured his pack’s momentum continued as soon as the likes of Flegler and Haas took a breather.
Nonetheless, his transfer to the Gold Coast Titans has left an unheralded void at Pink Hill, with Kobe Hetherington, Fletcher Baker and Taupau failing to supply the identical spark with Haas off the sphere.
Whereas Jensen was saved off for the whole second half, he managed 99 working metres in his stint, and Pat Carrigan marvelled with a close to full recreation working for greater than 200m and making 38 tackles.
The bench trio could have upped the ante late within the conflict, nevertheless it got here as Haas rejoined the fray and precipitated chaos for the South Sydney middles after the guests had gained the higher hand in his absence.
Younger hulking center Xavier Willison, named as 18th man, waits within the wings and can possible come into consideration, whereas Walters confirmed within the pre-season that teenage big Ben Te Kura would garner a debut in 2024.
Xavier Willison may very well be in line for a recall, after Marty Taupau, Kobe Hetherington and Fletcher Baker lacked punch off the bench till Payne Haas rejoined the competition.Credit score: Broncos Media
The latter can be extremely unlikely to come back in so quickly within the marketing campaign, however the actuality was the Broncos regarded a vastly completely different aspect with Haas off the sphere, and it was his return to the fray which coincided with Brisbane’s return to kind.
“Payne and Patty are clearly the cornerstone of our pack, so we wish them on the sphere as a lot as we will,” Broncos coach Kevin Walters stated.
Cobbo tailored for centre stage
Simply two video games into his profession as an NRL centre, Selwyn Cobbo has showcased the transfer may very well be a long-term masterstroke.
The 21-year-old cemented his standing as one of many recreation’s main wingers final 12 months, with solely damage costing him from that includes on the State of Origin stage greater than his Sport I displaying.
In entrance of 35,507 Suncorp Stadium spectators, Cobbo checked out residence in his new place.
Twice he linked up with Walsh to burst into the clear down the left aspect flank, and the electrical duo had been at it once more to interrupt a 12-12 impasse.
After Walsh pressured a repeat set, he skipped to the left and fired a move to Cobbo, whose sensible faucet on was nicely dealt with by Arthars to hit the lead.
Cobbo was within the thick of it once more for the next attempt, offering the move for Arthars to interrupt into the clear, together with his infield kick scooped on by Walsh to cross once more.
Selwyn Cobbo of the Broncos breaks away from the Souths’ defence.Credit score: Getty Photos
Ending with 181m, two linebreaks, a linebreak help, attempt help and eight deal with busts, it turned clear the shift was no experiment and primed to be successful.
“He’s getting higher Selwyn, higher than final week. His defence was excellent tonight, and likewise he’s getting himself within the recreation a bit bit extra,” Walters stated.
“Selwyn’s massive energy is his capacity to hold the ball nicely and he did that tonight.”
Mariner justifies shock choice
Regardless of being one of many Broncos all-time main attempt scorers, veteran flyer Corey Oates has been left on the outer as coach Kevin Walters seeks to deploy loads of pace to burn.
It led to the collection of 20-year-old rookie Deine Mariner, who has not let the religion down.
For the second time already this season, Mariner gained the race to a well-weighted kick to attain – his seventh attempt in eight first-grade appearances.
On this event, the Palm Seashore Currumbin product pounced on a late Adam Reynolds grubber kick, capitalising on the sphere possession created by an early kick the set prior from the halfback which ended with Kotoni Staggs dragging Alex Johnston into contact.
It was Johnston who was caught napping by the lightning Mariner, who additionally beat the veteran to the punch deep within the second half to thwart a late Rabbitohs attacking kick, earlier than placing in a chip for himself to attain his second for the evening and ice the competition.
Deine Mariner scored two tries for the Brisbane Broncos towards the South Sydney Rabbitohs.Credit score: Scott Davis/NRL Photographs
Whereas he was saved comparatively quiet general and might want to go looking for extra involvement as he settles into week to week first-grade, he regarded good in defence and judged the assault nicely in tandem with Kotoni Staggs.
“That chip and chase was a magnificence, he kicked one final week over in Vegas and practically hit our lodge it went that far,” Walters stated.
“He received it proper there, he’s an excellent younger expertise, and he’s a try-scorer – it’s what he does – and for somebody that younger he’s dealing with the pace and the tempo of the sport, and he’s doing numerous issues proper.”
Oates’ dimension makes him a tempting inclusion popping out of bother – even in an injury-plagued marketing campaign final 12 months averaging 184m a recreation from 9 outings – but he lacks the identical blistering tempo of his youthful counterpart.
The 29-year-old could also be pressured to push for choice by the Queensland Cup; nonetheless, he didn’t line up for his affiliate outfit the Burleigh Bears final week, and has not been named for Saturday’s conflict with the Townsville Blackhawks.
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