NRL 2022: Brisbane Broncos Covid drama opens door for Cory Paix to make his mark

Adam Reynolds’ big-money move to Brisbane is already paying off with one of the club’s young guns taking advantage of his extensive rugby league knowledge.

Cory Paix is placing pressure on Jake Turpin. Picture: Richard Gosling

The Covid situation at the Broncos has opened the door for backup dummy half Cory Paix to prove his worth as a potential starting No.9 for Brisbane this year.

Regular hooker Jake Turpin has been forced into isolation, along with 15 other players, after returning a positive Covid result last week.

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The affected players will remain in quarantine for the next few days, as part of the mandatory seven day isolation period, but could return to training by the end of the week if they do not show symptoms for 48 hours.

The remaining Covid-free players were put through their paces during Monday’s session under steamy conditions at Red Hill.

Cory Paix is placing pressure on Jake Turpin. Picture: Richard Gosling

With several key players missing, Paix admitted it was a good opportunity to make the most of the No.9 role.

“It definitely is (tougher),” Paix said of having fewer players at training on Monday.

“It makes the games we play a lot tougher.

“There’s not too many here in the key positions but that’s good. It’s good for myself and my fitness.

“I’m getting a lot more reps in that No.9 jersey.”

Paix played in the halves during his junior rugby league days before the Broncos earmarked him as a future dummy half option.

The 21-year-old admitted it was a move he was happy to make and now the Toowoomba product has his eyes on securing the No.9 jersey from his good friend Turpin.

Brisbane's Cory Paix has his eyes on the No.9 jersey at the Broncos. Picture: NRL Images

“That’s the long term goal for me (the No.9 jersey),” he said.

“It would be great to get it this year.

“I was out a bit last year for certain reasons but for me right now, it’s about getting into the team and staying in the team and help get the Broncos back on top of the ladder.

“I’m pretty new at nine, it’s only my second year at it but I found that love for footy in a way, not that it was ever lost.

“I’m just certainly enjoying my time right now.”

Paix has also turned to new recruit and premiership-winning halfback Adam Reynolds in his quest to become one of the game’s more elusive dummy-halves.

“(Reynolds) is a general and you can see why he’s the player that he is,” he said.

“It’s no different out on the paddock.

“For me, he’s just touching on that deception side of things — getting shows, when to run, that sort of thing.

“It’s a clear mindset going into training when you know you’ve got him by your side.”