NRL 2025: Broncos reveal Adam Reynolds return date, Titans star David Fifita’s injury setback
Adam Reynolds sent a scare through Red Hill after undergoing neck surgery and coach Michael Maguire has delivered an update for Broncos fans.
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Broncos coach Michael Maguire has declared injured skipper Adam Reynolds a certain round 1 starter as he edges closer towards making a call on Brisbane’s captaincy.
Reynolds underwent neck surgery in the days after Christmas to treat a persistent nerve problem which flared up during the early stages of Brisbane’s pre-season.
The operation was declared a success and the halfback is expected to make a swift recovery.
Reynolds, 34, has been spotted on the training paddock at Red Hill this week, running separate to Brisbane’s main group.
But he is expected to be cleared for contact training around the end of January or early next month.
That would give Reynolds a month of full training to prepare for Brisbane’s NRL season-opener against the Roosters in Sydney on March 6.
There is also a chance Reynolds could make a rare appearance in a pre-season trial if he is fully fit.
Maguire has been forced to make a change to Brisbane’s halves after five-eighth Ezra Mam accepted a nine-game suspension from the NRL following his drug driving saga late last year.
Dragons recruit Ben Hunt is expected to step into the five-eighth role next to Reynolds in Mam’s absence.
In a perfect world, Hunt and Reynolds will get some time together on the field during the NRL Pre-Season Challenge, with the Broncos to face the Titans (February 16) and Bulldogs (February 22).
Maguire said Reynolds was recovering well from the operation.
“He had irritation in his neck with a nerve and they’ve cleaned up around where the nerve is. He will be fine,” he said.
“He ran (on Monday), not full-on, he’ll spend a month in rehab and then be back into training. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s back a little earlier.
“He’s definitely (all good for the start of the season). It’s amazing what they can do now. They go in and tidy it up.
“He has had it for a while and he felt if we did something about it (it would help). He spoke to plenty of doctors and the surgeon said they could do it and fix up all his issues.
“He will be feeling really well.”
Reynolds has been Brisbane’s captain for the past three seasons since joining the club from South Sydney.
However Maguire hasn’t guaranteed he will remain in the role for what could be his final season in the NRL.
Reynolds struggled with multiple injuries last year, limiting him to only 13 appearances for the Broncos.
Star forwards Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas are potential captains and Maguire said he was looking at making a decision on Brisbane’s leadership this month.
“I’ll make that at the back end of the month,” he said.
“I’ll decide that when the time is right.
“Reyno is our captain at the moment and is leading well.”
TITANS BLOW: FIFITA IN DOUBT FOR NRL OPENER
David Fifita’s quest for a Queensland Origin recall has copped a blow with the Gold Coast Titans star in danger of missing the start of the 2025 NRL season.
In a major NRL SuperCoach development, Fifita has suffered a setback in his return from ankle surgery and is no certainty to feature in the opening rounds of the season.
The destructive backrower missed the final round of last season after being sent for surgery on an ankle problem that plagued him in the back half of the year.
But his recovery hasn’t gone as smoothly as hoped and Fifita has not been able to join the Titans in full pre-season training.
At this stage Fifita does not require further surgery, but he is still some time off being able to train without restriction.
He has been around the team but is being closely monitored by Titans fitness staff.
The Titans will kick-off their pre-season trials campaign against the Broncos on February 16 and Fifita is at long odds to feature.
Gold Coast has a round 1 bye which is somewhat of a blessing if their strike forward is unavailable in what he hoped to be a strong comeback season.
Fifita, 24, had a challenging 2024 campaign.
He reported for pre-season training in poor shape and then suffered a torn pectoral muscle in training before Christmas and sat out the opening three rounds of the season following surgery.
He found some form after a slow start but was controversially overlooked for the entire Origin series by Queensland coach Billy Slater.
Fifita’s form dipped after being snubbed by the Maroons and the prolific tryscorer did not score a try in his final 10 appearances of the season as he carried the ankle complaint.
Fifita was also embroiled in a contract controversy after he agreed to join the Roosters, only to backflip a few days later and re-sign with the Titans until the end of 2026.
Despite undergoing ankle surgery which prevented him from running, Fifita reported for pre-season training in November in good shape.
But his ankle hasn’t progressed as hoped and he is racing the clock to get up to speed before the start of the 2025 season in March.
The Titans are hoping Fifita is fit and firing as they look to rebound from three straight bottom four finishes.
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