NRL 2022: Adam Reynolds to be ruled out of Brisbane Broncos’ final trial match

The Broncos are running out of time to fine tune their combinations ahead of the NRL season, and now they’ve suffered another worrying setback with Adam Reynolds.

Adam Reynolds. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

Brisbane’s preparations for their premiership opener have suffered another setback with $2.4 million halfback recruit Adam Reynolds set to be ruled out of this Saturday night’s final trial against the Cowboys in Mackay.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Reynolds faces being scratched for the second consecutive week due to “general soreness” that will see the champion playmaker rested to ensure his fitness for Brisbane’s round one clash against Souths on March 11.

The revelation is a blow to Brisbane’s build-up for the new season, with coach Kevin Walters admitting he was hoping to deploy Reynolds during the trials to build combinations with his new Broncos teammates.

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Adam Reynolds is yet to make his Broncos debut. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Brisbane’s most important player will head into the 2022 premiership not having played a single minute in trials for his new club.

Reynolds was expected to play against the Titans in last Saturday night’s 26-all draw, only to be withdrawn, and Walters concedes his star import is at long odds to feature in Brisbane’s last pre-season hitout against the Cowboys.

But Walters hosed down speculation Reynolds is battling a major shoulder problem, insisting the 31-year-old veteran will be fully fit for a round-one premiership showdown with his former Rabbitohs club.

“At this stage, Adam won’t play next week,” Walters said.

“We will see how he goes but he is not 100 per cent over the line.

“If he’s not OK next week against the Cowboys, we’re OK with that, we’ll just make sure he is fully fit for round one.”

The Broncos are banking on Reynolds to lead the club back into finals contention this season and they cannot afford to have their chief shot-caller on the sidelines during a critical premiership campaign.

Coach Kevin Walters has some early season calls to make. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Last season, Reynolds endured persistent rumours he was on a modified training program at Souths due to his ageing body. Then Souths coach Wayne Bennett rubbished such claims and Walters is adamant the Broncos have not purchased an injury-prone playmaker.

“There’s no problems with his shoulder,” Walters said.

“He’s got some general soreness. We will talk to the doctors and physios during the week, but we don’t want to jeopardise Adam for round one.

“He has some soreness through his legs, we’ve had a big pre-season, and if you push someone, that’s when injuries can come, so it’s just a precautionary move really.

“If he isn’t feeling that great, I’d rather give him a spell for another few weeks.

“It’s a long season, so it’s important we look after Adam and make sure he has a good prep for round one.”

Albert Kelly in Saturday’s trial match against the Titans. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Reynolds sat beside Walters on the sidelines for the Titans trial and the Broncos were craving his cool-headed composure as starting halves Billy Walters and Albert Kelly struggled for control at Cbus Super Stadium.

After 231 games in the NRL furnace, Reynolds could easily slip into playmaking mode for round one, but Walters is more concerned with cultivating cohesion around his new halfback.

“I know Adam has played a lot of games, so that’s not the issue,” he said.

“It’s more the combinations and communication with others around him and the boys getting used to Adam’s style.

“You can do things at training but nothing beats playing games. It will be good to have Adam back on deck.

“He is great at building pressure and we missed that in this (Titans) trial.”

Originally published as NRL 2022: Adam Reynolds to be ruled out of Brisbane Broncos’ final trial match