Kotoni Staggs on Joey Manu showdown, reaching rock bottom against the Cowboys

Things haven’t gone as planned for Kotoni Staggs who was hailed as the backline X-factor who could haul the Broncos out of the NRL cellar. Will he flick the switch against the Roosters?

Billy Walters has been elevated to the starting side. Picture: Liam Kidston

Kotoni Staggs says he has not lost faith in his match-winning ability as the Broncos ace comes under pressure to counter the brilliance of Roosters centre rival Joey Manu on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.

On the eve of this year’s premiership, Staggs was hailed as the backline X-factor who could haul the Broncos out of the NRL cellar and catapult the ailing glamour club back into contention for the 2022 playoffs.

But after the opening month, Staggs is tryless and has struggled to find the attacking mojo that made him the NRL’s most feared centre two years ago, which triggered a rich $2.8 million contract extension last season.

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Rock bottom came a fortnight ago, when Staggs had the worst afternoon of his 55-game NRL career, totally outplayed by Valentine Holmes as he bumbled his way through a 38-12 loss to the Cowboys.

In last week’s 20-6 capitulation to the Warriors, Staggs drifted in and out of the contest, prompting former Broncos captain Corey Parker to question if the NSW Origin hopeful is fit enough for 80 minutes of consistency.

The Broncos will be on red alert for Roosters sensation Manu’s attacking raids at Suncorp and Staggs is backing himself to hit back at the critics and give the Bondi some backline headaches of their own.

Kotoni Staggs after Brisbane’s humiliation against the Cowboys. Picture: Dan Peled/Getty

“I haven’t lost faith in my ability,” Staggs said as he looks to break his 2022 tryscoring duck against big guns the Roosters.

“I have put my game against the Cowboys behind me. I went over the things I did wrong that day but the best thing is to put it in the past.

“I have to focus on myself and getting back to my best.

“I know I’m in for another tough game this week. The Roosters are a good side and Joey Manu is a great player, but I need to worry about myself and get my game in order.

“I am confident the big plays will come again, I just have to be patient and my best form will come eventually.”

Broncos coach Kevin Walters doesn’t have time to wait.

Brisbane are staring at a third consecutive defeat and Walters desperately needs the red-hot Staggs who ripped rivals apart with his speed and power before snapping his ACL at the back end of 2020.

Walters believes the key to reigniting Staggs is his new halfback recruit Adam Reynolds, who plays his fourth game for the Broncos on Friday night and is still developing a right-edge combination with the strike centre.

Kotoni Staggs has vowed to get his hands on the football. Picture: Tara Croser.

“Reyno is still getting to know Kotoni’s game,” the coach said. “I think it’s important that Adam provides Kotoni with enough ball to cause some real damage on that right side.”

Staggs is keen to get more involved and admits his fightback from two knee injuries in the past 18 months has tested him physically and mentally.

“Not many people see behind closed doors what I’ve gone through over the past two years with injuries,” he said.

“I want to get more ball, 100 per cent. Justin Hodges (former Broncos centre) was one of the best centres at coming in and scooting out of dummy half and getting away from the ‘A’ defender.

“I have to start doing a bit more of that and getting into the game.

“I am still working on my timing and fitness. I am coming back from injury and people are expecting big things from me straight away, but it takes time.

“I have to be patient with myself and have faith that my best form will come.”

New Broncos spine set, No.9 shake-up

- Travis Meyn

Billy Walters has clinched the Broncos’ No.6 jersey made famous by his father, opening the door for Cory Paix to audition for Brisbane’s long-term hooker duties.

Walters will replace the injured Albert Kelly (foot) at five-eighth in Friday night’s daunting clash against the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium.

Kelly will undergo surgery on Thursday to repair a Lisfranc injury that will sideline him for at least four months, giving Walters the opportunity to have an extended run in his preferred position.

Son of Broncos coach Kevin Walters, Billy came to Brisbane from Wests Tigers last year wanting to secure the five-eighth duties and he now gets his wish.

After a positive 2-0 start to the season, the Broncos have played poorly in losses to the Cowboys (38-12) and Warriors (20-6) over the past fortnight.

To make matters worse, the club has been engulfed by the Payne Haas-Kelly “Shoe-gate” scandal this week after video emerged of the teammates having a scuffle outside a Sydney hotel.

Haas has been named to face the Roosters pending the NRL Integrity Unit’s investigation into the incident, which could result in a sanction from the governing body.

Billy Walters has been elevated to the starting side. Picture: Liam Kidston

What is clear is that Walters will shift from a bench utility role to five-eighth, with speedy dummy-half Paix to replace him on the interchange.

Paix, 22, was one of Brisbane’s better players during the pre-season trials and was unlucky not to play round 1, missing the win against South Sydney after contracting Covid.

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He has not been able to force his way into the 17, but the door has now opened and he will get a chance to press his claims to be Brisbane’s next No.9.

Starting hooker Jake Turpin is off-contract at season’s end and the Broncos have been lethargic in offering him an extension, with the Dolphins interested in signing Turpin.

Broncos prop Ryan James backed Walters to step up at five-eighth and said Paix would add punch from the bench.

“Billy has stepped up,” James said.

Cory Paix moves onto the bench. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty

“He can play six or nine. He is very versatile and is a great utility. He will do a great job.

“It gives Cory a chance to come on to the bench. He can add a bit of speed to the bench.”

The Broncos’ solid start to the season has quickly been forgotten, particularly with a testing fortnight against the resurgent Roosters and premiers Penrith (away) to come.

They will be without key players Tom Flegler (suspended), Pat Carrigan (knee) and Kelly, but welcome starting backrowers Kurt Capewell (calf) and Jordan Riki (ribs) back into the team.

After gritty defence-oriented wins against the Rabbitohs and Bulldogs, Brisbane’s efforts and enthusiasm have dropped off and James said that had to change against the red-hot Roosters.

“We haven’t been working hard on our effort plays,” he said.

“In our first couple of weeks we were doing a lot of kick pressure, a lot of running men off the ball. We’ve gone away from it.

“They’re the things that when your teammates are doing them, you like to play with them.

“You watch what Penrith do. They run onside and run players off the ball.

“Tesi (Niu, fullback) is just getting tackled as he’s catching the ball. We need to be better in helping each other out. They’re the things that go a long way to winning a game.

“Payne might run 200m in a game but if we’re not doing the things to help our halfback and fullback out then we’re not doing our job.

“We were extremely disappointed to play in front of 40,000 (against the Cowboys) and put that performance in. We have to put it behind us.

“We know the Roosters will be a big game. We got wins because we were gritty so we’ve got to get back to that style of footy.”

Originally published as Kotoni Staggs on Joey Manu showdown, reaching rock bottom against the Cowboys