Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters warns State of Origin player fatigue toll could hit his team

Broncos forward Corey Jensen has sustained an ankle injury at training, sparking concern about how coach Kevin Walters will manage players backing up from Origin with the club’s injury crisis.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 30: Corey Jensen takes on the defence during a Brisbane Broncos NRL training session at Clive Berghofer Field on April 30, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The Broncos’ injury saga has continued with Payne Haas’ front-row partner Corey Jensen rolling his ankle at Brisbane training on Friday.

But Brisbane coach Kevin Walters remains optimistic Jensen will be cleared to play against the Warriors on Saturday week as he declared “banged-up” Selwyn Cobbo a certain starter for the New Zealand trip.

With Brisbane’s big guns away on Origin duty, the Broncos had a scare on Friday when Jensen failed to finish the session after twisting his ankle during a regulation training run.

The Broncos can’t afford to lose more troops with star skipper Adam Reynolds (biceps), Jesse Arthars (jaw) and Corey Oates (knee) sidelined, while back-rower Jordan Riki is suspended for two games.

Walters confirmed Jensen went down at training but believes the bye weekend will give the prop sufficient time to take on the Warriors in round 17.

Corey Jensen rolled his ankle at training. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“Corey rolled his ankle,” Walters said.

“If we played this week he would have been no chance, but our medical department believe he will be OK for next week.

“It depends how he pulls up the next couple of days, we have to get the swelling out of it.

“He just tripped over and rolled his ankle in a training drill. The medical team are confident he will be right to go. We don’t need too many more out.”

Walters said there’s a chance Brisbane’s Origin stars Pat Carrigan, Payne Haas and Reece Walsh may not back up from Origin II given the Broncos travel to New Zealand the following day.

“We’ll see how they go through Origin,” he said.

“Payne and Patty at this stage might get a rest, but we will check on ‘Walshy’. He hasn’t played as much football so it’s just a wait and see.

“If I’m honest with you, I would prefer not to play them but I want to see how they go in Origin and how they are mentally after the game.

“Sometimes if you have a big win in Origin, you want to keep going and you can back up, but on the flip side if they get beaten, you can be down in the dumps.”

Queensland coach Billy Slater dropped a selection bombshell last Monday when he left Cobbo, the Maroons’ Game One interchange star, out of his 17-man squad for Origin II this Wednesday night.

Kevin Walter would prefer that Origin players such as Pat Carrigan don’t have to back-up against the Warriors. Picture: Adam Head

It later emerged Cobbo was mentally and physically fatigued, prompting the Broncos to give the 22-year-old the weekend off to recharge with his family in Cherbourg.

But Cobbo was back at training on Friday and Walters dismissed concerns about his star centre’s mental state, insisting he will be fit to face the Warriors.

“Selwyn is another one like Corey,” Walters said.

“If it was this weekend, he probably wouldn’t have been able to play, but with some good rest and recovery, he will be fine for the Warriors game.

“He is another one who is a bit banged up, but being so young, Selwyn is coming to terms with that.

“It’s good for him to get a rest from Origin. Billy has a number of good options to cover for him so there’s no concerns about Selwyn.

“He went home for the weekend and he is back at training so he’s good to go.”

Originally published as Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters warns State of Origin player fatigue toll could hit his team