Broncos team, transfer news: Te Maire Martin contract re-signing, Payne Haas, Kurt Capewell injuries

He thought he would never play NRL again. But after fighting back from a brain bleed, Te Maire Martin has been a revelation for the Broncos - and received further good news on Wednesday.

Martin has secured a two-year upgrade to his Broncos deal. Picture: Liam Kidston

Te Maire Martin’s stunning NRL fightback is complete with Brisbane’s comeback kid to be handed a new contract by the Broncos.

Martin will play a key role for Brisbane in Thursday night’s away clash against Souths at Homebush and Broncos coach Kevin Walters revealed the off-contract utility back has a future at Red Hill beyond this season.

The 26-year-old made a shock return to rugby league with the Broncos last summer after being cleared of a serious brain-bleed injury which forced him to quit the Cowboys at the end of 2019.

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Te Maire Martin made his NRL comeback against the Bulldogs a fortnight ago, two years after quitting the Cowboys following his brain-bleed ordeal.

Martin arrived at Red Hill on a basic development contract, but the Broncos have kicked-off negotiations to reward the former New Zealand Test star with a two-year upgrade for his remarkable NRL resurrection at Brisbane.

A hamstring injury to first-choice fullback Tesi Niu opened the door for Martin, who has been outstanding in his first two games for the Broncos with his composure at the back in attack and defence.

As Martin prepares for his third game in the Broncos’ No.1 jumper against the Bunnies, Walters confirmed Brisbane’s accidental hero will secure a full-time NRL extension.

“That stuff (contract negotiations) is out of my lane, but we expect to re-sign Te Maire for a couple of years,” Walters said.

“He has been really good for us, he has been a great pick-up for us.

“I didn’t really know how quickly he could accelerate but he is playing good footy and since he has been at the back, we look a different team in attack, so he’s doing a great job for us.”

Martin has secured a two-year upgrade to his Broncos deal. Picture: Liam Kidston

In his debut against the Bulldogs, Martin pulled off three trysavers in the opening 30 minutes on his way to 112 metres and two tackle busts to help Brisbane to a come-from-behind 34-14 victory.

Against the Sharks last week, Martin was superb again, defusing a number of high balls and producing a try assist and three line-break assists in Brisbane’s 16-7 boilover at Suncorp Stadium.

Now Martin returns to Accor Stadium, the scene of his career highlight in 2017, when he scored a try for the Cowboys playing five-eighth alongside Michael Morgan in their grand-final loss to the Storm at Homebush.

Martin returned to New Zealand and spent time pig hunting during his two years out of the sport.

“We are really happy with what he has been doing in a new role for him at fullback,” Walters said.

“I can see at training and in games, the influence Te Maire has — he is helping Adam (Reynolds, halfback) with our spine and being more creative with what he does.

“His pass selection is really good and his skills are great, he has good acceleration and has the skills you need to be either a good fullback or five-eighth.

“He has also surprised me with his defence. His organisation in defence, too, is really good and when he needs to make a tackle, he is in there making them.

“He saved two or three tries for us last week by being on the ball and getting underneath the ball.

“Te Maire is doing such a good job for us at fullback, we will keep him there for the minute and let him progress as best as he can in that position.”

BRONCOS’ DOUBLE BLOW: STARS OUT OF SOUTHS CLASH

- By Peter Badel

The Broncos have suffered a double whammy with star forwards Payne Haas and Kurt Capewell ruled out of Thursday night’s crucial away clash against South Sydney.

Brisbane’s quest for a third consecutive victory has been jolted by the reality Haas (shoulder) and Capewell (neck) have succumbed to injuries in a crushing blow for a Broncos outfit on the cusp of a top-eight berth.

But the loss of the key duo has been partially offset by the return of forward ironman Pat Carrigan, who has been named to replace Haas in the front row for the round 9 clash at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

Payne Haas played through the pain barrier against the Sharks. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

Carrigan was expected to miss up to six weeks after injuring his knee in Brisbane’s round 4 loss to the Warriors, but the industrious lock has worked overtime to accelerate his return to the Broncos starting side.

Haas suffered a grade-one shoulder injury in Brisbane’s defeat of the Bulldogs two weeks ago and he aggravated his damaged AC joint in the Broncos’ gutsy 16-7 defeat of the Sharks last Thursday night.

Losing Haas is a blow, but the Broncos will welcome back Patrick Carrigan. Picture NRL Photos

Despite being in obvious pain, Haas bravely soldiered on, with Brisbane’s No.1 prop still managing 125 metres from 13 runs before being called to the sidelines in the 54th minute.

Walters was tempted to play his most important forward as the Broncos chase a hat-trick of wins, which would see them leapfrog Souths into the top eight, but he is mindful of Haas suffering a more serious breakdown.

Meanwhile, Capewell, whose superb solo try last week sealed Brisbane’s boilover of the Sharks, has suffered a minor neck injury, opening the door for hard-running TC Robati to partner Jordan Riki in the Broncos back row.

FULL NRL ROUND 9 TEAM LISTS: Broncos, Cowboys, Titans

It is understood the Haas and Capewell injuries are only minor with the pair expected to be on deck for Brisbane’s Magic Round clash against Manly on Friday week at Suncorp Stadium.

“We will look after Payne medically, we’re not about trying to overburden him,” Walters said in the wake of Brisbane’s defeat of the Sharks.

“If his shoulder isn’t right, he won’t play (against Souths).”

In other selection news, Corey Jensen will start alongside Carrigan in the front row after charging for 163 metres against the Sharks, while Tom Flegler will remain on a bench comprising Cory Paix, Rhys Kennedy and Keenan Palasia.

Kurt Capewell is out.

Pat Carrigan returns from injury. Picture: NRL

The Broncos enter the round 9 clash with a 4-4 record and the loss of Haas and Capewell is a major setback to their hopes of beating Souths for the second time this year after Brisbane’s 11-4 upset in the season opener.

Brisbane-based physiotherapist Brien Seeney, who runs the popular NRL Physio social-media account, believes Haas is not facing an extended time on the sidelines.

“It’s not a major injury but it is a painful injury,” Seeney said.

“If you cop a blow to the same spot again, it can limit you, as we saw from Haas on the weekend.

“If it was a grand final this week, I have no doubt Payne would play.

“There is still every chance that Payne goes out there next weekend (against Manly in round 10) and still pumps out his normal workload without aggravating it.

“It’s good to take a week off, let it settle down and then there would be more confidence that the injury risk is lower.”