NRL 2024: Brisbane Broncos open talks with Selwyn Cobbo, make tough Kotoni Staggs admisison

Broncos coach Kevin Walters concedes “it will be difficult” to keep both Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo as Brisbane fight to retain their centre strikeforce.

Brisbane Broncos star Selwyn Cobbo against Manly at Magic Round. Picture: NRL Photos

Broncos coach Kevin Walters concedes “it will be difficult” to keep both Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo as Brisbane face a $1.6 million salary-cap crunch to keep their centre strikeforce intact.

As revealed by this masthead, the Broncos have opened talks with Queensland Origin ace Cobbo ahead of Friday night’s clash against the Rabbitohs at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

Cobbo is expected to ink a new multimillion-dollar deal after this year’s Origin series, but his long-term retention could see centre cohort Staggs squeezed out of the Broncos due to salary-cap pressures.

This masthead can reveal Brisbane bosses have kicked off plans to make Cobbo a “Bronco for life” ahead of their clash against South Sydney on Friday night at Accor Stadium in Sydney.

Cobbo’s manager Tas Bartlett declined to comment on Wednesday but told this masthead recently the backline sensation, while content at the Broncos, is a man in demand.

“I personally think Selwyn should be a Bronco for life,” said Bartlett of PSM.

“The Broncos will have some salary-cap challenges. They have outlaid a lot of money to keep Reece (Walsh), Ezra (Mam) and Pat Carrigan.

“I know if we go to the open market, he will attract $1 million offers and possibly more.

“The Broncos have been very good to Selwyn.

Brisbane Broncos plan to make Selwyn Cobbo a ‘Bronco for life’. Picture: NRL Photos

“He has matured a lot in the last few years and a move to Sydney would not be as daunting as it once was.

“Until my client says I want to look around, then we’ll focus on the Broncos and look to get a deal done there as a priority.”

The 25-year-old Staggs is off-contract next year, making him a free agent from November 1, and there are fears the Broncos cannot afford to keep both centres following upgrades for Ezra Mam, Pat Carrigan, Adam Reynolds and Reece Walsh.

Staggs has been cleared of a knee problem to face South Sydney in his final audition for Origin II and Walters vowed to do everything possible to keep the NSW hopeful in Broncos colours.

“We have got to find a way to make it happen,” Walters said.

“They are two quality players who have both been through the Academy.

“I’d expect to hang onto both (Staggs and Cobbo).

“They are both going to demand a lot of money but what we need to do is find a compromise with both those players where they are staying here, playing in a great side and a great club and taking a little bit less money possibly, but staying here and being successful.”

Walters won five premierships at the Broncos during an era in which club legends Darren Lockyer, Wendell Sailor, Petero Civoniceva and Shane Webcke sacrificed dollars in the pursuit of sustained success.

Staggs is on around $700,000 this season and could command more on the open market following an increase in the NRL salary cap.

Cobbo’s salary at the Broncos is also expected to rise to north of $800,000, leaving Brisbane vulnerable to a big-money poaching raid for Staggs from NRL rivals.

The Roosters will lose Joey Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to rugby at season’s end and Staggs could be a target as the Bondi glamour club goes to the market for outside backs.

Kotoni Staggs is at risk of being pushed out of the Broncos. Picture: NRL

Asked if the likes of Staggs and Cobbo could take less to stay, Walters said: “I believe so if you have got the right environment for them.

“Kotoni is a Bronco to the bone and so is Selwyn.

“That’s the target, to keep both. That’s what I want to do as the coach.

“We have to find a way to make that happen. It is going to be difficult but rugby league is difficult. We’ve got to find a way to hang onto both of them.”

In February, five-eighth Ezra Mam inked a five-year upgrade to remain at Brisbane until the 2029 and Walsh, off-contract next year, will remain at Red Hill for the same term.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Brisbane Broncos open talks with Selwyn Cobbo, make tough Kotoni Staggs admisison