NRL 2024: Patrick Carrigan defends Adam Reynolds captaincy, Payne Haas and Ezra Mam injured and facing stints on sideline
Patrick Carrigan has distanced himself from the captaincy debate raging at the Broncos by defending skipper Adam Reynolds. It comes as Brisbane’s woes worsen with two stars set for lengthy sideline stints.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Pat Carrigan, the man earmarked as Brisbane’s future leader, has distanced himself from the captaincy debate raging at the club as the Queensland forward backed veteran halfback Adam Reynolds to retain the skipper’s armband.
It comes as the season from hell at the Broncos goes from bad to worse after scans revealed a lisfranc injury to powerhouse prop Payne Haas and an ankle syndesmosis issue for five-eighth Ezra Mam.
The Gold Coast Titans effectively ended Brisbane’s finals hopes last weekend but a loss to North Queensland on Saturday would kill off the club’s top eight chances for good.
Brisbane now appear destined to miss the finals for the third time in four seasons under coach Kevin Walters, putting the club, coach and captain under heavy scrutiny.
Brisbane’s lack of resilience and fight, which was deeply exposed against Canterbury and then the Titans, has been slammed as an attitude problem at Red Hill by former club great Gorden Tallis.
Tallis believes the Broncos are lacking direction under Reynolds, 34, and that Carrigan, 26, could be an antidote to Brisbane’s leadership void.
But Carrigan rubbished the talk over the captaincy revealing Reynolds is still the right man to be leading a young Broncos outfit.
“It speaks for itself what Reno has done for this club and there is no other person I want to run out behind,” Carrigan said.
“But I’m trying to focus on controlling my own game at the moment and in terms of the captaincy, he’s the best leader we could possibly have at the club.
“I’m going to stand behind him and keep working with him. It’s a silly question, he’s the best man for the job. We love him and support him.”
Brisbane’s fall from grace from grand finalists last year to arguably the most disappointing side of 2024 has also put Walters under the blowtorch.
But Carrigan insists Walters has what it takes to turn around the club’s fortune not only in the final regular rounds of the season but into next year.
“Welcome to the rugby league world. Eight months ago we were in a grand final with Kev,” Carrigan.
“I think it’s a bit ludicrous to be honest, he’s part of the reason I committed to the club and wanted to be there.
“I play my best football under Kev too. Well and truly, we are in a bit of a down patch at the moment but it’s not for a lack of effort.
“It’s just fundamental lapses in our game.
“I have full belief in Kev and full belief in the club and it’s on us to turn it around.”
Carrigan and the Broncos will have to turn things around starting this week, but without Haas and Mam.
Broncos medical staff are refusing to rule out either player long-term until consulting with specialists later this week.
Brisbane’s head of performance David Ballard confirmed the bad news for coach Kevin Walters on Monday afternoon.
“Scans confirmed Payne has a lisfranc injury while Ezra has a syndesmosis issue,” Ballard said.
“We will consult specialists in the coming days, with both players unavailable for selection this weekend while we map out a way forward.”
Haas’ untimely injury has opened the door for Xavier Willison to earn a call-up into the starting against the Cowboys.
In another blow to Walters’ spine stocks, Tyson Smoothy was sent for an MRI scan on Monday afternoon after he picked up an ankle injury playing for feeder side South Logan Magpies in the Hostplus Cup
“Tyson also has an ankle issue but we will wait and see what the scan shows before making any further comment,” Ballard said.
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL 2024: Patrick Carrigan defends Adam Reynolds captaincy, Payne Haas and Ezra Mam injured and facing stints on sideline
Gus’ ‘doctored’ claim ignites NRL conspiracy
The NRL Grand Final’s controversial no try scandal has taken a wild turn despite the game releasing the angle the decision was based on.
Kangaroos selection shocks: NRL legends’ Test careers appear over
Mal Meninga has dropped a major selection bombshell by overlooking both James Tedesco and Kalyn Ponga for Kangaroos selection, with the list of surprise omissions and debutants not ending there. See the full squad.