Adam Reynolds injured as Broncos win 46-24 over Wests Tigers

Broncos coach Michael Maguire got some revenge over his former team, but the win has come at a potentially massive cost, with Adam Reynolds injured as Brisbane blew the Wests Tigers away.

Brisbane’s rise to the top of the NRL ladder was soured by injuries to Adam Reynolds and Brendan Piakura after the Broncos thumped the Tigers 46-24 on Saturday night.

Reynolds went from cloud nine to the sideline, suffering a hamstring injury just moments after producing a stunning individual try before 41,011 at Suncorp Stadium.

The nuggety halfback looked like Broncos great Allan Langer when he chipped, chased and regathered in the 45th minute to help Brisbane to a 4-1 start to the 2025 NRL Premiership.

But Reynolds immediately winced after converting his own try and walked straight off the field, failing to return in what could slow down Michael Maguire’s hot start to life in charge of the Broncos.

Adam Reynolds suffered a hamstring injury after kicking a goal in the Broncos win over the Wests Tigers. Picture: Getty Images

“I’m all right, just tightened up a bit and didn’t want to risk anything,” Reynolds said.

“I’ll talk to the medical staff and probably have a scan.

“I don’t know (if I’ll be out). I feel pretty good, I’m positive as a person.

“I did it in the first half and got to half-time and assessed it. I got through without doing anything serious.

“I didn’t want to kick the goal, I was looking for someone but they were all walking away. I kicked it at 30-40 per cent.”

REBORN REYNO

Reynolds, 34, looked shot last year with a string of injuries and form struggles raising questions about his future.

He was expected to retire at the end of this season, but has started the year in such hot touch that the 292-game veteran is considering playing on in 2026.

Reynolds kicked a clutch two-point field goal on the stroke of halftime to give Brisbane an unlikely 14-12 lead and then delivered a dagger to the Tigers with his solo brilliance.

But he is almost certain to miss Friday night’s Suncorp showdown with the Roosters and spend at least a couple of weeks on the sidelines following his latest setback.

The Broncos have a perfect 3-0 record at home this year and the signing of Ben Hunt could prove crucial in the coming weeks.

“It was a funny first half, we made a meal of a few things and the Tigers were coming at us pretty hard,” Broncos coach Michael Maguire said.

“We regrouped at half-time, got control and got back into the game.

“We had to work really hard defensively. We put ourselves on the back foot a few times.

“The boys got together and made sure they got it done.”

PIAKURA’S PAIN

Brisbane’s back row depth is set to be tested after bruising forward Pikaura suffered a heavy head knock.

Piakura ended a turbulent night by being medi-cabbed off the field in the 77th minute following an awkward tackle.

Starting for the first time this season, Piakura found himself in the sin bin for a high shot on Tigers prop Terrell May in the 20th minute.

He then got his head in the wrong spot trying to tackle Adam Doueihi and is facing a mandatory 11-day stand down, further testing Brisbane’s backrow stocks with Jordan Riki suspended.

“Brendan is okay, he is filthy that he put his head in the wrong spot,” Maguire said.“We’ll go through the protocol with him.”

It was a tough night for Brendan Piakura who was sin-binned in the first half and suffered an ugly head knock in the final minutes. Picture: Getty Images

WILLISON STEALS SHOW

Payne Haas v Terrell May was billed as the front showdown between NSW Origin master and apprentice.

At halftime it was the Tigers youngster that had the edge on Haas with 12 carries for 80m compared to the Brisbane bookend’s seven for 53m as the Broncos struggled to settle.

But it was Broncos bench weapon Xavier Willison that stole the show.

Willison barged over for a try after coming on and then scored a second after Hunt’s sublime 40-20 shortly after the break.

His feats were only matched by winger Jesse Arthars, who continued his try-scoring start to the season with another double.

Xavier Willison had a massive game for the Broncos, scoring two tries. Picture: Getty Images

CRACKDOWN CONFUSION

Referee Liam Kennedy may have needed a new pea in his whistle at halftime after blowing eight penalties and six set restarts in the first 40 minutes.

Some of those were for innocuous high tackles as part of the NRL’s crackdown that has left players and fans confused.

Much of the contact was minimal and incidental in the high-octane collisions.

Ironically, the worst head injuries in the contest were to players defending after Piakura and Tigers halfback Latu Fainu suffered heavy knocks.

The NRL has to deliver some clarity on the crackdown.

TIGERS PURRING

They are far from the complete project but for the first time in a long time there is plenty to like about the Tigers.

Despite missing star signing Jarome Luai (suspension) and losing fill-in Fainu to concussion, Wests were the better team in the first half.

But a potential 18-12 lead for the Tigers at halftime ended up being a 14-12 buffer in Brisbane’s favour due to poor goalkicking.

The Tigers used three different goalkickers in the first half who all missed. Meanwhile, Reynolds converted Brisbane’s two tries before slotting a two-point field goal on the stroke of halftime.

Tigers coach Benji Marshall should be pleased with his side’s progress but you can’t expect to win many games conceding 46 points.

“We came out with good intent and executed the way we wanted to play in the first half,” Marshall said.

“I’m really proud of their effort. I learnt we’ve got a team that when we get it right, we can do some good things.

“I’m proud of my team. The scoreboard doesn’t reflect (the game).

“They outclassed us in the end but our boys showed a lot of fight.”

Originally published as Adam Reynolds injured as Broncos win 46-24 over Wests Tigers