NRL 2022: Broncos cannot put date on Selwyn Cobbo return | Sport Confidential
The Brisbane Broncos are uncertain about the return to action of Selwyn Cobbo as the young star continues to battle the after efects of a sickening State of Origin knockout. SPORT CONFIDENTIAL
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Broncos star Selwyn Cobbo is still struggling with symptoms following his sickening State of Origin knockout.
Cobbo’s NRL return is up in the air after the Maroons winger was knocked out cold in the second minute of last week’s Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium.
Cobbo was on the receiving end of friendly fire from Queensland and Broncos teammate Pat Carrigan and was left unconscious on the Suncorp Stadium turf.
The 19-year-old was distraught in the dressing rooms after being told he couldn’t return to the field and he now faces an uncertain comeback.
Cobbo has been suffering headaches since and the Broncos are treading carefully with one of the club’s brightest prospects.
He was ruled out of Thursday night’s game against Parramatta and is no certainty to return against the Tigers next Saturday.
“His knockout was pretty bad, one of the worst I’ve seen in my NRL career,” Broncos teammate Jordan Riki said.
“I’m hoping everything with him is all good. He’s working really hard to make it back.”
Broncos coach Kevin Walters confirmed Cobbo was in doubt for the Tigers game.
“He’s doing some light running and we’ll monitor him over the next few days,” he said.
“At this stage he’s not a sure starter for the Tigers. That’s what we’re aiming for, but if he’s not right we’ll give him all the time he needs to make sure he is fit and healthy when he comes back.
“It was a bad one. You don’t want to see that in any sport.
“Selwyn is recovering and we’ve got great medical staff supporting him and running through the protocols to get him back in good condition before he plays.”
Cobbo has used his time on the sidelines to return to his hometown of Cherbourg, where he was mobbed by adoring fans after his debut Origin series.
EXPLOSIVE DOSSIER WHICH DESTROYED GRUBBY BLUES
He may be a rookie coach, but Queensland mentor Billy Slater has emerged as a master motivator.
Sport Confidential can reveal the behind-the-scenes story that inspired Queensland’s famous upset in the Origin decider – a carefully-edited ‘dirt file’ of NSW’s grubby antics and cheap shots on Maroons players.
It is understood Queensland’s coaching staff trawled through years of vision and put together a dossier of moments in which Blues players bent the rules with calculated attacks on Maroons stars.
Maroons players watched the footage as a group in the lead-up to Origin III last Wednesday week and were so enraged by the vision some players declared they were prepared to risk an NRL suspension by seeking retribution on the Blues.
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The vision included some of the rough-house antics from self-confessed NSW “grub” Liam Martin, who got under Queensland’s skin in the series opener with four minutes of madness that included an attack on star Maroon Cameron Munster.
The message from Queensland’s coaching staff of Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith and Josh Hannay on the eve of the Suncorp decider was palpable.
It went along the lines of: “This is our house and the Blues are banging down the door.
“Are we really going to let them in?”
In a further bid to tug at the heart strings of his players, Slater called the squad to a team meeting on a Monday night two days before the decider. He screened a replay of the inaugural Origin match in 1980, when Arthur Beetson led Queensland onto Lang Park and inspired a famous Maroons triumph.
There is little question Slater’s tactics had an effect on the outcome of Origin III. The Maroons came out like men possessed. Corey Oates knocked out Cameron Murray in the second minute on a kick return before five fired-up Maroons tried to smash Matt Burton in a tackle that saw Selwyn Cobbo knocked out cold.
Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans confirmed Queensland had to get more physical in the Suncorp decider and it worked as the Blues were sensationally ambushed in a 22-12 boilover.
“We drew a line in the sand on where we felt the series was going if we didn’t stop certain things,” Cherry-Evans said, referring to NSW’s intimidation.
“Once we drew that line in the sand, and we knew what we were playing for and why we were doing it, this team doesn’t look back when we get instructions.
“It’s a very coachable team. All 17 of us bought into it.”
New twist in Triple M NRL radio spat
It was one of the most explosive episodes of the NRL season. The radio spat between Triple M Sunday Sin Bin host Anthony Maroon and colleagues Gorden Tallis, Paul Kent and James Hooper that led to a firestorm at the network.
Maroon walked off air in disgust after taking umbrage at light-hearted jibes from his colleagues. The drama led to Maroon’s departure from the show, in the process triggering the resignation of News Corp journalist Kent, who refused to apologise to the aggrieved host.
But the embers of raging discontent have simmered following the installation of a new host in Brisbane-based Channel 9 and Triple M media personality Ben Dobbin, who has been a smash hit heading up the revamped Sin Bin show.
Triple M bosses are understood to be rapt with the fresh dynamic. ‘Dobbo’ insists there will be no bad blood with Hooper, Tallis and James Graham as they debate the NRL’s big issues in the run to the finals.
“There will be no walk-outs from me,” Dobbin said. “Anybody that’s played rugby league and sport knows the locker room thrives on banter and if ‘Hoops’ or Gordie want to get stuck into me, bring it on. It’s all in good fun.
“This show has been an important part of the rugby league family for Triple M and I am honoured to be hosting it.
“There’s no two ways about it, the show has had some controversy this year, but I can’t speak highly enough of Gorden Tallis, James Graham and James Hooper. I also have a great relationship with Paul Kent and I think a lot of Anthony Maroon as a Triple M colleague.
“The show sets the agenda in my opinion for the week. It has strong views, it’s a lot of fun and it tackles every topic, nothing is off limits on the Sunday Sin Bin.
“It’s been a dream of mine to get paid to talk about rugby league and I’m living that dream.”
Bruce hatches plan to stay
Passionate Queensland Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher has abandoned retirement plans and will lead the state for another three years.
After originally planning to step away this year, Hatcher has extended his term at the top of Queensland’s governing body.
Hatcher is one of Queensland’s most passionate league voices and regularly goes toe-to-toe with NRL heavy-hitters Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo.
And he won’t be stepping down until some key issues in the game are finalised.
“My term is up but there are a lot of important issues I’ve been involved with the commission on that haven’t been finalised,” Hatcher said.
“We felt it would be good for me to go another term to hopefully get those things sorted out.
“If I was a genius and got everything done in two months then I might step aside. But the reality is I’m going again and it’s supported by the board, unanimously.
“I’m very happy and proud to represent Queensland at the top table. I don’t mind standing up for Queensland.
“We’ve got to look after Queensland. The QRL is well-governed, diverse and progressive with where we want to go.”
Hatcher is fiercely opposed to a mooted NRL reserve grade competition, which he believes will hurt development in Queensland and the Hostplus Cup, and wants the QRL to retain Origin under its umbrella.
No Titanic walkout for ‘Foz’
Gold Coast-bound Kieran Foran remains committed to the Titans despite the club’s season of disaster.
The veteran Manly playmaker signed a two-year deal with the Titans in May, well before the Gold Coast’s dismal slide which has put enormous pressure on embattled coach Justin Holbrook.
Holbrook was one reason why Foran is keen to play for the Gold Coast. There was a view that Holbrook’s potential sacking could convince Foran to have a change of heart and remain at the Sea Eagles.
The Titans are still scarred from Foran’s Manly teammate Daly Cherry-Evans’ sensational decision to renege on a contract in 2015.
But Foran is staying loyal and contacted Holbrook saying he was impressed with the Titans’ gutsy display against the Broncos last Saturday night.
“I have spoken to Kieran and he is very committed to playing under Justin next year at the Titans,” his manager Chris Orr said.
“Kieran is totally focused on his current Manly commitments leading into the business end of the NRL season.
“After that he will be with the Titans for the 2023 pre-season.”
Kumul’s secret sausage weapon
Kumuls sensation Nixon Putt demolished two dagwood dogs before his man-of-the-match display for the CQ Capras.
Hostplus Cup sideline eye Adam Jackson spotted Putt at the Runaway Bay canteen less than an hour before kick-off against the PNG Hunters on Sunday.
Putt was getting stuck into a couple of battered hot dogs lathered in tomato sauce.
The backrower then came out and scored two tries and ran 19 times for 208m in the Capras’ 62-24 thrashing of the Hunters.
“I love them,” Putt said of the delicacy.
“I normally have some before the game back in New Guinea so it reminds me of when I’m playing there.”
Jackson suggested Putt, who will feature for the Kumuls in the World Cup, could use his man-of-the-match award to buy $500 worth of dagwood dogs.
Pearson’s shocking slur
Former Broncos star Jonus Pearson has been hit with a wet lettuce by the QRL following a foul-mouthed tirade at match official.
Pearson was sent off during the CQ Capras win against the PNG Hunters on Sunday after calling a touch judge a “c***” when the Capras weren’t awarded a penalty for an apparent crusher tackle.
The match was being broadcast live on Kayo and the abuse was picked up on microphones.
Pearson was given his marching orders, but the match review committee only slugged him with a one-game suspension if he entered an early guilty plea.
If the game is truly committed to respecting match officials then this is a shockingly weak penalty.
“There is no place in the game for that sort of stuff,” QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher said.
“Referees make mistakes like all of us but it shouldn’t be the end of the world.
“We don’t condone any of that. If the bloke is silly enough to do it again, then the sentence should be commensurate.”
V’landys cautious on new rule change
One of the most radical rule proposals in the NRL’s 25-year history is unlikely to get past first base.
News Corp revealed last week the NRL will consider a new rule where play could be extended beyond the 80th minute to allow an attacking team the chance to complete their set after the full-time siren.
The proposed rule is designed to prevent defending teams deliberately time wasting in the final minutes. In rugby union, play is permitted to continue well after the 80th minute to allow a team in possession to complete their attacking drive.
But ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys says the rule has yet to be rubber-stamped by the NRL.
“There is nothing official happening yet. We’ve had a few people write to us with that idea and naturally at the end of the season, we will consider all possible rule changes as we do every year,” he said.
“Any rule can be suggested, it doesn’t mean it is necessarily going to happen.
“Naturally, there will be immense consultation and it is one of several changes that have been suggested. But it is not a fait accompli by any means.”
Broncos coach Kevin Walters is not a fan of the proposed time-extension rule.
“Coaches and players always find ways to bend the rules to their advantage,” he said.
“They can change the rules but someone out there, smarter than me, will come up with a way to exploit that as well.
“I am happy with time finishing at 80 minutes.”
Reyno backs Reece Lightning
Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds has endorsed the signing of Reece Walsh and believes the Warriors whiz kid can turn Brisbane into a genuine premiership force next season.
Brisbane will add another classy element to their playmaking spine with Walsh eyeing off the Broncos’ No. 1 jumper in 2023 and Reynolds is relishing the prospect of working with the Queensland Origin hopeful.
“Reece is a great signing,” Reynolds said.
“He is a player I love watching, he plays on the edge and he takes the game on.
“I love the style of footy that Reece brings. He is a tough player and the future is looking bright at the Broncos with guys like him and Ezra (Mam, five-eighth) leading the way.”
Parko drops in on Broncos
Surfing legend Joel Parkinson dropped in on the Brisbane Broncos this week.
Parkinson made a brief appearance at Broncos’ training on Wednesday while the team was in Kingscliff in northern NSW.
A former part-owner of the Gold Coast Titans before the club was taken over by the NRL in 2015, “Parko” has remained mates with ex-Titans coach John Cartwright, now one of Kevin Walters’ assistants at the Broncos.
Carty invited Parko and his son to Broncos’ training to meet captain Adam Reynolds briefly before they were mobbed by television cameras.
“He’s quite matey with Carty,” Walters said.
“It’s great to have him down and around the team.
“He’s a great surfer and we love to have his support.”
EPL giants join Kevvie
Broncos coach Kevin Walters had some big guns of the English Premier League alongside him last Saturday night.
Aston Villa coaches Gary McAllister and Aaron Danks, who are head coach Steven Gerrard’s right-hand men, joined Walters in the Broncos’ coaches’ box for Brisbane’s 16-12 win against the Gold Coast Titans.
The Broncos invited the Villa figures down to Cbus Super Stadium for the night after striking up a relationship while the EPL giants were in town.
Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy is a fan of learning from global sporting giants and wants to build relationships with the world’s biggest franchises.
Holmes tipped to go big
Valentine Holmes might be repaying the Maroons and Cowboys for their faith in his resurgence, but he’s set to cost TAB plenty if North Queensland continue their roll.
Holmes was heavily supported as first try scorer in State of Origin Three at a juicy $21 for punters and he’s now surged into favouritism to finish the year as the NRL’s top point scorer following Ryan Papenhuyzen’s season-ending injury.
After opening the year at $29, the Cowboys centre has been crunched into $1.70 with several large bets.
He currently has 149 points, 11 more than Manly’s Reuben Garrick ($5.50), while Nathan Cleary ($7) is best backed in the market despite being sixth on the point scoring list.
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