NRL Magic Round 2024: Reece Walsh ruled out for Broncos due to knee soreness

NRL Magic Round has lost its biggest star with hometown hero Reece Walsh ruled out for the Brisbane Broncos, causing a significant reshuffle.

Magic Round has lost its biggest star.

The Broncos’ injury crisis has claimed another big-name scalp with fullback sensation Reece Walsh ruled out of Friday night’s clash against Manly at Suncorp Stadium with a knee injury.

Walsh has become the seventh Bronco to fall victim to a Brisbane injury curse that threatens to derail their premiership assault after the Queensland Origin star failed to complete the captain’s run on Thursday morning.

Walsh’s scratching sees him join skipper Adam Reynolds (biceps) and Billy Walters (wrist) on the sidelines, leaving Ezra Mam as the only first-choice member of Brisbane’s playmaking spine for the Manly showdown.

In the absence of Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo will shift to fullback, with off-season Souths recruit Josiah Karapani to make his NRL debut for the Broncos at left centre.

Walsh started the session doing solo work before attempting a brief run with the team and after watching the flying fullback, Broncos coach Kevin Walters suspected he was not 100 per cent fit.

Walters remains confident Walsh’s injury is only a one-week setback in a major boost for Queensland coach Billy Slater, who will select his Maroons team for Origin I on Sunday week.

Reece Walsh is out with a knee injury. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Walshy has pulled up lame this week with his knee,” Walters said.

“It’s not quite right so we will leave him out and bring Josiah in.

“I don’t think it’s a long-term thing with Reece.

“I think one week will be fine to get it steady.

“He is just favouring it which I picked up this morning, we’re better off going with fit players moreso than half fit.”

Even the prospect of picking Walsh’s understudy Tristan Sailor was off the table, with the back-up fullback sidelined for six weeks after injuring his ankle in the Hostplus Cup last Saturday night.

Winger Jesse Arthars (broken jaw) and monster teenage prop Ben Te Kura (foot) are others in a swelling casualty ward that is putting enormous pressure in Brisbane’s depth in their push to keep pace with the top four.

Cobbo has always proven a fine replacement at the back and Walters backed the Queensland Origin flyer to fill the Walsh void.

Reece Walsh won’t play Magic Round. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Selwyn will go back to fullback and Josiah will play left centre. It’s a late adjustment but we’re comfortable with that,” Walters said.

“It’s nice for Selwyn to be able to interchange between those positions.

“We love what Walshy brings and what Selwyn brings at fullback as well.

“He is a different type of fullback, he is big, powerful and strong and we’d like to see that from Selwyn.

“He has played fullback before for us with great success, so we expect nothing more than his best for us.”

Karapani is a well-built centre at 183cm and 93kg and caught the eye of Walters with some explosive runs in a pre-season trial against Wynnum Manly in February.

The 22-year-old has been waiting patiently in the Hostplus Cup and will form a new centre pairing with NSW Origin aspirant Kotoni Staggs.

“It will be his first game in the NRL, so it’s a nice weekend for him to get his debut in Magic weekend,” Walters said.

“We picked Josiah up from Souths last year.

“He started the year a bit slow but he has really accelerated his form the last few weeks.

“I like his speed and his attitude has had a whole shift, it’s really positive for him and I’m pleased he can get an opportunity.”

In one boost, Jock Madden returns from a pec strain to call the shots at halfback and Walters dismissed concerns about Brisbane’s shocking injury roll.

“Everyone is in the same position with injuries,” he said.

“We are fighting on hard with what we have here, we have got good depth here and that is being tested at the moment.”

Originally published as NRL Magic Round 2024: Reece Walsh ruled out for Broncos due to knee soreness