NRL 2022: Brisbane Broncos team news, potential changes ahead of Penrith Panthers clash

Desperate to avoid a three-game losing streak the Broncos can use all the help they can find, and coach Kevin Walters was spotted getting some tips from a Tokyo star.

Payne Haas. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

Broncos hooker Jake Turpin has some friendly competition brewing with teammate Cory Paix eyeing off the Brisbane No. 9 jersey.

Paix has made no secret of his desire to be the starting dummy-half for the Broncos and did not hurt his chances in his first game for the club this year in last weekend’s loss to the Roosters on Friday night.

The 22-year-old injected some energy into the side during his 26-minute stint and is set to rewarded with another bench spot against the undefeated Panthers this weekend.

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Brisbane hooker Jake Turpin is under pressure to retain his starting spot. Picture: Tara Croser.

He said it was his “long-term goal” to claim the Broncos starting hooker role in what is set to spark a friendly competition between him and Turpin.

“For me, it was great to get back into a Broncos jersey,” Paix said.

“I love putting the jersey on every time I get the opportunity.

“(The No. 9 jersey) is a long-term goal of mine.

“I’ve got an opportunity now and I just have to take it with both hands and play well for the team and the club.

“(Jake and I) both understand it’s a business at the end of the day and we want to do what’s best for the club.

“He’s prepared to do that and I’m prepared to do that. It makes a great battle for both of us.

“We don’t let that get in the way off the field. We’re great mates.”

Corey Paix has his eyes on Turpin’s No. 9 jersey. Picture: Liam Kidston

The Broncos are looking to end their three-game losing streak when they face the top-of-the-table Panthers in Penrith on Friday night.

Paix said it will be a true litmus test to see where the club is at this early in the season.

“I can’t fault our effort against the Roosters,” Paix said.

“(The Panthers) are the benchmark, and undefeated so far this season.

“We’ll have to be at our best to beat them and we’ll have to do all the little areas right and do them well.”

Olympic swimming mentor Dean Boxall was also spotted at Brisbane’s Monday morning training session, chatting with Broncos coach Kevin Walters.

Boxall coached star swimmer Ariarne Titmus to a gold medal at last year’s Tokyo Olympics and made headlines himself with his post-race celebration.

There were no plans for the swimming coach to address the playing group but Paix admitted it was good to have him around at training.

REVEALED: HOW HAAS, KELLY APOLOGISED TO BRONCOS

By Peter Badel

Payne Haas and Albert Kelly have formally apologised to Brisbane’s playing group as the underwire Broncos duo fight to avoid suspensions from the NRL for their infamous ‘Shoe-gate’ scuffle.

The NRL integrity unit is expected to conclude its investigation this week, with Haas in danger of being rubbed out in a potentially crushing blow to Brisbane’s hopes of beating Penrith on the road this Friday night.

With fellow front-rower Tom Flegler already suspended, Broncos coach Kevin Walters faces the nightmare prospect of losing his two frontline props as the red-hot premiers look to consign Brisbane to a fourth consecutive loss.

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The Broncos’ dressing-room culture has been put under the microscope following footage of Haas punching Kelly, but new recruit Kurt Capewell is adamant the altercation will not derail Brisbane’s season.

Deeply remorseful over Brisbane’s 12th off-field incident in the past three years, an embarrassed Haas and Kelly fronted the entire full-time squad before last Friday’s 24-20 loss to the Roosters.

“The boys handled it really well,” Capewell said.

Payne Haas and Albert Kelly have apologised to teammates.

“Payne and Alby stood up and apologised to everyone for their actions and copped it on the chin like they should have.

“We moved forward as a group and it led to a pretty solid performance (against the Roosters).

“We didn’t read into that (criticism of Brisbane’s culture) too much.

“It was built up a bit, but we know what type of culture we have at this club and what type of culture we are trying to drive.

“We are trying to live up to those standards and we can hold our heads high.”

Should Haas be banned for one or two games, Brisbane’s engine room will be decimated at the worst possible time, with props Keenan Palasia and Ryan James set to start against a Penrith pack led by Kiwi Test enforcer James Fisher-Harris.

Despite speculation the NRL will suspend Haas and Kelly, the latter of whom is sidelined for four months following foot surgery, Broncos coach Kevin Walters refuses to give up hope of having his No. 1 prop.

Asked if he is bracing for Haas to be banned, Walters said: “I’m not expecting that, no. We expect him (Haas) to play against the Panthers.”

A Payne Haas ban would rock the Broncos who face Penrith this week. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

If Haas is ruled out, the Broncos will somehow have to replace the 172 metres and 28 tackles the NRL’s No. 1 prop produced against the Roosters. Walters lauded Haas’ mental toughness during a turbulent week.

“Payne is a very strong character,” he said. “The plan was to play him in the first 40 minutes and he got through that quickly.

“Payne didn’t do a lot wrong in the video (of his clash with Kelly) and we are sticking by him and Albert. We need to get around them and make sure they are OK.”

Broncos winger Corey Oates dismissed concerns about Brisbane’s morale as they fight to snap a three-match losing streak this Friday night against the defending premiers.

“It was fine, we didn’t let the issue get under our skins,” Oates said.

“It’s really tight at the club this year, it has been like that for a while now. Everyone sticks together. It didn’t faze us at all, we left it to the NRL integrity unit. We moved on and did our jobs.

“We showed (against the Roosters) we are a tight group and we look after each other and work hard.

“If Payne is suspended this week, Keenan and Ryan James have to step up.”

Originally published as NRL 2022: Brisbane Broncos team news, potential changes ahead of Penrith Panthers clash