NRL 2024: Deine Mariner, injury flips Brisbane Broncos’ Las Vegas selection battle on its head

Overlooked to replace Dolphins defector Herbie Farnworth, one of the Broncos’ true speed demons is in the box seat to claim Selwyn Cobbo’s vacant wing spot in Las Vegas.

The Broncos are set to unleash one of the fastest players in the NRL with speed demon Deine Mariner staking a claim for Selwyn Cobbo’s vacant wing spot for Brisbane’s historic Las Vegas season opener.

Cobbo’s move to centre this season to fill the Herbie Farnworth void has left Mariner, Jesse Arthars and Corey Oates vying for wing berths ahead of the Broncos’ round-one showdown with the Roosters on March 3 (AEST).

With Arthars on the comeback trail after sustaining an ankle injury last month, Mariner has a glorious chance to be a starting member of Brisbane’s Sin City extravaganza.

The boom 20-year-old ran on the flanks outside Brisbane’s No.1 centre Kotoni Staggs at Broncos training on Wednesday in what could shape as a devastating right-side attacking alliance this season.

Rated the best schoolboy centre in the country two years ago, the Palm Beach Currumbin flyer is faster than Broncos superstar Reece Walsh - clocked at 4.7 seconds in 40-metre sprint testing.

Arthars was a model of consistency in his 20-game stint for the Broncos last season, but Staggs believes Mariner is ready to terrorise the NRL in 2024 after a patient two-year apprenticeship at Red Hill.

“‘Deano’ has been good in pre-season,” Staggs said.

“He is still a young fella himself, he got a couple of games last year, he had that taste of NRL and he has a lot of improvement.

“He is still young and still learning.

“He is loving where he is (on the wing). I love having him outside me, he is very quick, so you give him the ball in space and he’s gone.

“He is taking the opportunity now that Kevvie has given him with both hands. He wants to get better in that wing position.”

The Auckland-born Mariner is too good for the Queensland Cup, having scored 18 tries in 22 games for feeder club Wynnum Manly, including four in a sizzling Seagulls debut in 2022.

The strapping Kiwi Test hopeful has scored five tries in six games for the Broncos since his NRL debut against the Wests Tigers 18 months ago and is ultimately viewed as a first-choice centre.

Deine Mariner (L) and Jesse Arthars are vying for a vacant wing spot.

But Walters is keen to ease Mariner into first grade via the flanks and while the Broncos will miss Dolphins recruit Farnworth, Staggs believes the 185cm, 90kg speedster has the physical gifts to be an NRL superstar.

“Deano just needs someone by his side who tells him what to do out there and he listens straight away,” Staggs said.

“I love having him on my edge.

“He is like Selwyn as well, he wants to learn that (wing) position, he is always asking questions.

“I don’t know what the team is going to look like (for round one).

“Deine is there at the moment. Jesse is going well in rehab, he is cruising.

“It’s out of Jesse or Deine, so time will tell. Kev (Walters) is the one who picks the team so he will make the final decision.”