Fan fury as Broncos, Storm field B-teams for end-of-season blockbuster

The NRL has defended the rights of teams to rest their superstar players, as the Broncos-Storm clash shapes as a B-grade affair. VOTE IN OUR POLL

The NRL has defended the rights of teams to rest their superstar players in the lead-up to the finals, as Brisbane Broncos fans hit out at coach Kevin Walters’ decision to only pick three regular first-grade players for their final regular-season match against Melbourne Storm.

More than $8 million in talent will be missing from the final round, with the Broncos, Storm and New Zealand Warriors wrapping their big guns in cotton wool ahead of the playoffs.

The Broncos have an awful record against Melbourne, and have decided to rest their stars even though a win would secure the club’s first minor premiership in 23 years.

Superstar fullback Reece Walsh, Payne Haas, Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo are just some of the players missing, with skipper Adam Reynolds (calf) and Pat Carrigan (foot) out injured as the Broncos eye the bigger prize of grand final glory.

The remaining A-grade players are Tom Flegler, Corey Oates and Jesse Arthars.

“We have named a team this week to make sure that we are properly prepared for the finals series,” Walters said.

“We have worked hard to get into this position, and that allows us to make sure our players are fit and fresh for that opening final at home at Suncorp Stadium.”

Jock Madden will step in for Adam Reynolds.

The Storm have also made a whopping 11 changes to the side that beat the Titans, given they have already secured a top-four finish.

Broncos fans have unloaded, including many who will travel from regional areas for the game, or who have a four-game membership and must be selective about which matches they attend.

Robbo and Dossa Robertson, of Gladstone, said the team announcement came as a “kick in the guts” for their family, who had been planning since June to travel the 600km to attend Thursday’s match.

The couple and their three children under 12 choose one game a year to attend, and Mr Roberston said it felt like Thursday’s tickets were to watch a trial game.

“We’ve bought tickets and got accommodation and planned leave and, you know, done all the hard stuff,” he said.

“Reserve-grade players don’t sell out stadiums; people go to watch the stars.”

Ms Roberston said they would still attend the match, despite the disappointment of their children, young rugby league players who “idolised” the rested stars.

“The young fella just asked if we could sell the tickets and go to another game, and like, I just explained to him, we wouldn’t get our money back,” she said.

“Nor would we be able to afford the tickets and to restructure all of our leave together, our accommodation paid for accommodation upfront, it’s just not an option for us.”

But Brenton Greaves of Edens Landing said Broncos bench and reserve forwards this season had been “outstanding” and “scoring tries and playing great defence”.

Andy Williams of Springfield Lakes defended the tactic as a way to foster the best chance at winning the premiership.

And NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo defended teams’ right to rest players.

“Each coach, team and club will set their strategies for who they are playing and the combinations,” he said.

“That‘s a call they have to live and die by, and that’s a call that is theirs to make.

“I’m yet to witness an NRL game that isn’t exciting and compelling. You’ll have players making their NRL debuts this weekend. I’m not concerned at all that we won’t have eight exciting games.”

A Brisbane loss would open the door for Penrith to steal the minor premiership if they can beat the Cowboys, and the Panthers aren’t messing around with all their stars on deck to eliminate North Queensland from the finals race.

Penrith have the luxury of playing on Saturday afternoon, meaning they could still call in players from their extended 23-man squad, depending on the Broncos’ result.

Delouise Hoeter is another Bronco on the rise.