Brisbane Broncos NRL trial team news: Ben Hunt, Reece Walsh unleashed on Bulldogs; Carrigan-Haas form front row

The Broncos will unleash a near full-strength starting side on the Bulldogs, with Michael Maguire revealing several positional hints ahead of Brisbane’s Round 1 clash. SEE THE TEAM

Brisbane have received a huge boost with star duo Adam Reynolds and Payne Haas set to return ahead of schedule for Saturday’s pre-season trial against the Bulldogs.

Skipper Reynolds (neck) and superstar prop Haas (ankle) were expected to sit out the pre-season trial period to ensure the dynamic duo made full recoveries from off-season surgeries for round 1.

But Reynolds and Haas have impressed Broncos medicos with their respective rehabilitations and have been named in a full-strength team for Brisbane’s NRL Pre-Season Challenge hitout against Canterbury at Kayo Stadium.

Reynolds only needs to pass a fitness test later this week to take his place in the No.7 jumper alongside halves partner Ben Hunt, while Haas will start at prop in a new engine room pairing with Pat Carrigan.

With five-eighth Ezra Mam suspended, coach Michael Maguire is keen to roadtest the Reynolds-Hunt scrumbase alliance at Redcliffe ahead of Brisbane’s season opener against the Roosters on March 6.

Rejuvenated Cory Paix has claimed the coveted No.9 jumper after his sizzling two-try effort in last Sunday’s 50-12 rout of the Titans and Jack Gosiewski will partner Jordan Riki in the back row at the expense of Brendan Piakura.

Maguire is taking a close look at his back row and Gosiewski has a golden chance to dislodge Riki or Piakura for a starting spot with a bumper display against the Bulldogs.

In other selection news, Kotoni Staggs has overcome a minor niggle to be named at centre and will be partnered by Cowboys recruit Gehamat Shibasaki, with Selwyn Cobbo returning to the wing.

Kobe Hetherington has been retained in the No.13 jumper after last week’s fine display and is set to forge a lethal starting middle forward combination with Haas and Carrigan for round 1.

The inclusion of Reynolds and Haas is a silver lining to a series of injury setbacks arising from Brisbane’s nine-try trial thumping of the Titans in Toowoomba.

Utility back Hayze Perham, touted as Reece Walsh’s understudy, will miss the rest of the season after rupturing his ACL in a crushing blow for the Bulldogs recruit.

Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan will partner in the frontrow.

In a double whammy for Brisbane, boom prop Va’a Semu could face a month on the sidelines after injuring his shoulder, while fellow forward Matt Koellner has been cleared of a serious knee injury.

Broncos performance chief Dave Ballard confirmed the 25-year-old Perham will undergo a knee reconstruction.

“Hayze has ruptured his ACL and we expect him to be in rehabilitation for most of this season,” he said.

“He is in good spirits and the club will continue to provide him with all of the support he needs as he recovers.

“VJ (Semu) will begin rehab for a shoulder injury picked up in the game, and at this stage will be sidelined for at least a few weeks.

Cory Paix has retained the No.9 jersey. Picture: NRL Imagery

“The good news is Matty Koellner has been cleared of any serious knee injury, with scans showing all is intact.

“He’ll continue with some minor rehab.”

In the absence of Perham, the selection door has opened for promising train-and-trial rookie Latrell Siegwalt, who has impressed in Brisbane’s first two trials.

The 23-year-old Wagga Wagga whiz has scored tries in consecutive wins over Burleigh and the Titans and is likely to clinch an upgraded contract in the wake of his form and Perham’s injury.

Semu is one of Brisbane’s most promising young forwards and is tipped to break into the NRL this season after going close to winning a debut last season on Brisbane’s extended bench in round 19.

WALSH RETURN

In ominous news, Maguire warned Brisbane’s “Ferrari” is ready to roll.

Broncos stars have warned Walsh is looking “dangerous”.

After a grease-and-oil change involving wrist surgery, Walsh has made a full recovery and Brisbane’s $5 million man will launch his 2025 campaign in the Broncos’ final pre-season hitout.

After a frustrating 2024 season marred by injuries and a severe concussion, Walsh has had an excellent pre-season under Maguire and is primed for a round 1 fullback blockbuster against James Tedesco’s Roosters.

Walsh watched last week’s Titans trouncing from the sidelines and Broncos teammates believe ‘Reece Lightning’ is ready to strike back this season - starting against the Bulldogs at Redcliffe.

“I’m very pleased for ‘Walshy’,” hooker Cory Paix said.

“He has worked really hard on his fitness, he turns up every day with a good attitude and wants to get better.

“Everyone can see that around the place and when you have a dangerous Reece Walsh, it can only be a good thing for the club.”

Brisbane Broncos players Ben Hunt and Reece Walsh will have their first hit out of the season. Picture: Tara Croser.

Grand final hooker Billy Walters said the NRL would see a more controlled Walsh in 2025.

The Queensland Origin maestro famously copped a three-match ban for swearing at a referee midway through the 2023 season and there were times last year when Walsh tried to overplay his hand on attacking raids.

But Walters believes the 22-year-old, supported by veteran halves Hunt and Reynolds in the spine, will execute with more composure.

“I think he will be a lot more tame this year,” Walters said.

“He is quite smart with how he is going about things.

“Reece is a bit of a stress head, I was sitting on the bench in the second half (last Sunday) and he is like a coach, the way he is egging every player on and trying to find ways to beat the defence or pick a team apart.

“He will be smarter with his decisions. He won’t have as much of a rush of blood this year. Last year he was trying to score off every play, but this year he will be a lot smarter and build our game, build our sets and add his touch when he can.

“He is itching to get out there next week and hopefully he can be on fire for us.”

Maguire says few players have Walsh’s love for rugby league and he is ready for his match-winning fullback to shift out of first gear as Brisbane look to snap a 19-year title drought this season.

“Reece is our Ferrari,” Maguire said recently before Brisbane’s opening trial against Burleigh.

“I’m loving working with Reece. He is a special talent, but what I like is that he has the work ethic to get better.

“He is a huge footy head. I reckon he watches more footy than anyone else here, so I like the fact I can have lengthy discussions with him and I’d like to think he is learning a lot at the moment too.

“I think he can take his footy to another level.

Hayze Perham suffered an ACL injury.

“It’s exciting from my point of view where I feel we can take his game. I actually tried to get him to play for the Kiwis, but I think he wanted to go through the Origin pathway and potentially play for Australia.

“Reece had a tough year last year but I am confident he will bounce back. I love that Reece is in the Origin system because the best players learn even more at that level.

“There’s no doubt Reece is very talented and wants to be one of the greats of the game.

“To do that, you have to turn up consistently over periods of time, year after year, whether it’s Reece or whoever.

“I’ve found that Reece genuinely loves the game. He could talk football all day. He wants to get better.”

NRL PRE-SEASON CHALLENGE WEEK THREE TEAMS

SEA EAGLES VS PANTHERS

6pm Friday February 21 at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney

Sea Eagles: 1. Clayton Faulalo 2. Lehi Hopoate 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Navren Willett 6. Dean Matterson 7. Jakob Arthur 8. Siosiua Taukeiaho 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Ethan Bullemor 11. Ben Trbojevic 12. Corey Waddell 13. Nathan Brown 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Michael Chee Kam 16. Chris Patolo 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 19. Caleb Navale 20. Aaron Schoupp 21. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 22. Brandon Wakeham 23. Jordan Swann 24. Aitasi James 25. Jacob Sykes 26. Zane Dunford

Panthers: 1. Sione Fonua 2. David Fale 3. Thomas Jenkins 4. Samuel Lane 5. Asu Kepaoa 6. Soni Luke 7. Trent Toelau 8. Preston Riki 9. Billy Scott 10. Austin Dias 11. Zac Lipowicz 12. Harrison Hassett 13. Niko Apelu 14. Zack Lamont 15. John Sagaga 16. Billy Phillips 17. Riley Wake 18. Falefa Letoi 19. Tangata Utiokamanu 20. Jaxen Edgar 21. Nick Murphy 22. Poutoa Hotere-papalii 23. Tylor Bunting 24. Jakeb Vailalo 25. Zakauri Clarke 26. Harry Armstrong

WESTS TIGERS VS EELS

8pm Friday February 21 at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney

Wests Tigers: 1. Heath Mason 2. Jeral Skelton 3. Starford To’a 4. Brent Naden 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Latu Fainu 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Tristan Hope 19. Tony Sukkar 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Solomona Faataape

Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Jake Tago 6. Te Hurinui Twidle 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Jack Williams 9. Joey Lussick 10. Wiremu Greig 11. Kitione Kautoga 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Ryan Matterson 15. Luca Moretti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti 18. Toni Mataele 19. Charlie Guymer 20. Bryce Cartwright 21. Dan Keir 22. Ryley Smith 23. Brendan Hands 24. Joash Papali’i 25. Josh Addo-Carr 26. Jordan Samrani 27. Arthur Miller-Stephen 28. Joshua Lynn

DRAGONS VS RABBITOHS

3pm Saturday February 22 at Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee

Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Sione Finau 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. Emre Guler 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 16. Ryan Couchman 17. Hamish Stewart 18. Tyrell Sloan 19. Hame Sele 20. Jonah Glover 21. Kade Reed 22. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 23. Dylan Egan 24. Nathan Lawson 25. Hayden Buchanan

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Declan Casey 4. Jack Wighton 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Lewis Dodd 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jamie Humphreys 15. Jye Gray 16. Thomas Fletcher 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Salesi Ataata 19. Ashton Ward 20. Fletcher Myers 21. Bailey Biondi-Odo 22. Luke Webley

BRONCOS VS BULLDOGS

5:30pm Saturday February 22 at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Latrell Siegwalt 15. Josiah Karapani 16. Delouise Hoeter 17. Jock Madden 18. Joshua Rogers 19. Deine Mariner 20. Billy Walters 21. Corey Jensen 22. Tyson Smoothy 23. Brendan Piakura 24. Benjamin Te Kura 25. Martin Taupau 26. Jaiyden Hunt 27. Xavier Willison 28. Jett Bryce

Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Sam Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Jaeman Salmon 19. Ratu Rinakama 20. Joseph O’Neill 21. Cassius Tia 22. Blake Taaffe 23. Harry Hayes 24. Jonathan Sua 25. Luke Smith

DOLPHINS VS TITANS

7:30pm Saturday February 22 at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Kurt Donoghoe 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Max Plath 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Junior Tupou 15. Kenny Bromwich 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Ray Stone 18. Max Feagai 19. Josh Kerr 20. Connelly Lemuelu 21. Harrison Graham 22. Sean O’Sullivan 23. Aublix Tawha 24. Tevita Naufahu 25. LJ Nonu

Titans: 1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Allan Fitzgibbon 3. Jojo Fifita 4. Phillip Sami 5. Tony Francis 6. AJ Brimson 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Keano Kini 15. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 16. Brian Kelly 17. Klese Haas 18. Jayden Campbell 19. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 20. Josiah Pahulu 21. Thomas Weaver

ROOSTERS VS KNIGHTS

3:15pm Sunday February 23 at Industree Group Stadium, Gosford

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Siua Wong 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Nat Butcher 17. Naufahu Whyte 18. Fetalaiga Pauga 19. Blake Steep 20. Jake Elliott 21. Ethan King 22. Tom Rodwell 23. Max McCathie 24. Delasalle Vaa 25. Hugo Savala

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Brodie Jones 17. Mathew Croker 18. Jack Cogger 19. Thomas Cant 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Logan Aoake 22. Will Pryce 23. Matthew Arthur 24. Jackson Hastings 25. Cody Hopwood 26. Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana 27. Tyrone Thompson 28. Connor Votano

STORM VS COWBOYS

5:15pm Sunday February 23 at Casey Fields, Melbourne

Storm: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. Kane Bradley 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Grant Anderson 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero Interchange: 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Joe Chan 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Lazarus Vaalepu 19. Stanley Huen 20. Angus Hinchey 21. Keagan Russell-Smith 22. Ryan Papenhuyzen 23. Hugo Peel 24. Cooper Page-Wilson 25. Nathaniel Roache 26 Preston Conn 27. Coby Williamson 28. Mitchell Jennings

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden (c) 7. Tom Duffy 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter (c) 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Karl Lawton 16. Griffin Neame 19. Kai O’Donnell 20. Coen Hess 21. Rob Derby 22. Tom Mikaele 23. Jaxson Paulo