NRL 2024 team news: Broncos trio Adam Reynolds, Payne Haas, Brendan Piakura return dates
The Broncos are set to be at full strength for the blockbuster round 1 return bout, with Payne Haas, Adam Reynolds and Brendan Piakura hitting the training paddock.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The cavalry is charging back for Brisbane with Payne Haas running at training as the superstar prop, skipper Adam Reynolds and boom back-rower Brendan Piakura prepare for returns over the next fortnight.
In a boost for the Broncos, Haas has made a speedy recovery from knee surgery and ran on Wednesday, with the NSW Origin enforcer eyeing a possible comeback against the Tigers at Campbelltown on Saturday week.
While Haas, Reynolds and Piakura are unavailable for Saturday night’s clash against Canberra, the key trio are all expected to be on deck for Brisbane’s round 9 blockbuster against the Roosters on Friday, May 3.
Haas didn’t do contact work at training, but the sight of Brisbane’s No.1 prop moving well was a promising sign for coach Kevin Walters, who has been forced to navigate an injury crisis over the past month.
Reynolds (knee) ran with Brisbane’s Renegades squad at an opposed session on Wednesday, while Piakura is making good progress with his hamstring injury and is slated to play against the Tigers or Roosters.
With Reece Walsh (facial fracture) returning last week against the Dolphins, Brisbane could be at full strength within 14 days, setting the Broncos up for a mid-season charge in their bid to snap an 18-year title drought.
Back-up forward Jaiyden Hunt has played an underrated role replacing Piakura on Brisbane’s left edge and said the return of Haas and Reyolds would ignite the Broncos’ grand final juggernaut.
“Payne was running around out there, I think he could be back next week or the week after,” Hunt said.
“It’s massive for Payne to come back.
“He is one of the best front-rowers in the game, his carries get us on the front foot and his efforts lift us.
“Having players like him and ‘Reyno’ back brings our team to a new level.
“We are going pretty good at the moment and with those players coming back, we will go to another level.”
Hunt has emerged as the quiet achiever during an injury-ravaged period for the Broncos.
The 25-year-old arrived at Red Hill in pre-season after being jettisoned by the Dragons and has impressed Broncos coach Walters with his line-running and no-nonsense charges on Brisbane’s left edge.
Hunt plays his fourth NRL game for the Broncos on Saturday night against the Raiders and says two seasons in Melbourne’s system under super coach Craig Bellamy in 2016-17 taught him good habits.
“I was in the 20s system (at Melbourne), I did a few NRL sessions here and there,” said Hunt, who played 14 NRL games for the Dragons after joining the Red V from Melbourne in 2021.
“I didn’t do a whole lot with Craig Bellamy, but the standards across the whole club are the same, they hold a high standard with your wrestle and effort areas.
“Since I was young, I had it drummed into me, those effort areas.
“I had one more year at the Dragons but I got asked if I wanted a release because they didn’t really want me in my final year.
“My manager said the Broncos were interested and I jumped on board because this is where I grew up and where my family lives, so it was really exciting.
“I came back in a heartbeat.”
Hunt accepts the return of Brisbane’s stars will leave him fighting for a spot on interchange.
“I would like to stay in the 17 or whatever has ‘Kevvie’ planned for me,” he said. “I will play this week first and if Brendan (Piakura) is back next week, I’ll play it by ear and see how it goes.
“With the quality of players they have here at the Broncos, I was up for the challenge.
“Coming here I thought if I can crack the team, I have got some good in myself because with the class of players we have here, cracking the NRL team is pretty hard.”
Best 17, rookies to watch: Bulldogs primed for premiership charge
There’s something special about Canterbury heading into 2025. PAMELA WHALEY breaks down the issues facing the club, the rookies to watch and more in our deep dive into the Bulldogs.
Milford signs with Brisbane Broncos feeder club
Former Broncos and Dolphins playmaker Anthony Milford has made a last-ditch effort to revive his NRL career, signing with one of Brisbane’s feeder clubs.