Brisbane Broncos Round 8 team news: Ezra Mam, Selwyn Cobbo ruled out of Wests Tigers clash

The Broncos have suffered a double backline blow as the club prepares to welcome back a quartet of stars for the clash against Wests Tigers.

Brisbane’s injury rollercoaster has continued with dynamic duo Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo ruled out of Saturday night’s clash against Wests Tigers.

The return of injured quartet Payne Haas, Adam Reynolds, Brendan Piakura and Deine Mariner has been tempered by the loss of Mam and Cobbo for the round 8 road trip to Campbelltown Stadium.

Five-eighth dynamo Mam injured his finger in last week’s 34-10 rout of the Raiders, while the Broncos will not risk Cobbo after he suffered a minor shoulder setback against the Green Machine.

Both wore red no-contact bibs at Broncos training on Tuesday, suggesting the backline young guns were in danger of missing the showdown with the Tigers.

It’s understood Mam and Cobbo will only miss a week, although Brisbane’s injury crisis has been eased by the return of ‘Awesome Foursome’ Haas, Reynolds, Piakura and Mariner.

Reynolds (hamstring) is back at Brisbane’s nerve centre after a two-week absence, while Piakura (ankle), Haas (knee) and Mariner (broken back) have also been named by Broncos coach Kevin Walters.

NSW Origin enforcer Haas had his right knee strapped at Broncos training on Tuesday and finished the session early, but Walters remains confident his No.1 prop will pass a fitness test at the captain’s run on Friday.

Broncos training latest: Payne Haas running well.
Haas, Adam Reynolds and Deine Mariner set to return for Saturday’s clash against Wests Tigers. pic.twitter.com/Xyxs9Sh1Z7

— Pete Badel (@badel_cmail) April 22, 2024

Like Mam and Cobbo, Kotoni Staggs was on light duties after taking a knock to his knee against Canberra, but the strike weapon was named in the No.3 jumper by Walters.

In the absence of Mam, Jock Madden will slot into five-eighth alongside Reynolds, while Jesse Arthars will move to left centre in place of Cobbo, opening the door for Mariner’s return on the wing.

Mam said scans have cleared him of a serious hand injury, with the classy pivot backing Brisbane’s returning cavalry, led by skipper Reynolds, to post a third consecutive win against the Tigers.

“I fell a bit awkwardly in a tackle (against the Raiders) and put up with my finger until after the game,” Mam said.

“I got a scan and it’s all clear.

“It’s a huge confidence boost for the whole squad (to have Haas, Reynolds, Mariner and Piakura back on deck).

“We have missed Payne heaps, it will be a huge boost and we look forward to it.

“It will be a good game for ‘Reyno’ to come back and the other boys to come back as well.”

In other changes, Piakura will start in the back row, while Walters’ experiment with Tristan Sailor on the bench has come to an end after the son of club great Wendell was relegated to 18th man duties.

Haas’ return forces Fletcher Baker back to an interchange bench comprising Tyson Smoothy, Xavier Willison and Kobe Hetherington, squeezing the versatile Sailor out of the top 17.

After a patchy 4-3 start to the season, last year’s grand finalists Broncos, currently sixth, are looking to shift gears against the 13th-placed Tigers, who have looking to avert a fourth straight defeat.

“I think we are still trying to find that balance,” Mam said.

“We play such an expansive brand of footy.

“There is always going to be errors but it is about backing our skill and ability to break the line and put points on the board.

“Our main priority is our defence. Kev is all about us finetuning the little details on our defence.

“If we can get our defence right everything will fall into place. There’s still a long way to go in the season.

“The Tigers have been playing some good footy. We will do our research on them.”

PONGA NEWS A HAMMER BLOW TO KNIGHTS

Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga is facing up to three months on the sidelines – including all three games of the State of Origin series – after scans on his foot revealed he suffered a Lisfranc injury.

Ponga underwent tests after suffering a foot injury during the Knights’ loss to the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Sunday – he left the ground in a moon boot amid fears he could miss the remainder of the season.

It is understood Newcastle are optimistic he will be back this year but exactly when is in the hands of medical experts as he prepares to visit a specialist to discuss the next steps in his rehabilitation.

The news is not only a blow to Newcastle, but also to Queensland coach Billy Slater as he faces the reality of losing Ponga for the entire Origin series.

While Reece Walsh seemingly had a mortgage on the No.1 jersey, Ponga was a realistic chance to play off the interchange bench.

However, he will now watch the Origin series from the sidelines for the second year in a row – he ruled himself out of last year’s series as he made this way back from a series of head knocks.

Kalyn Ponga will miss Origin yet again. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Lisfranc injuries typically affect the bones or ligaments in the middle part of the foot and generally require surgery. Ponga will be unable to bear weight on the foot for six to eight weeks and will then need to regain fitness.

The good news is that Ponga is expected to play again this year – there were initial concerns that the injury could end his season.

Coach Adam O’Brien has options to wear the No.1 jersey, although replacing Ponga and the impact he has on the Knights borders on impossible.

The club has high hopes for youngster Fletcher Sharpe and he would have come into contention but for an injury that has sidelined him in recent weeks.

It means veteran Dane Gagai and rookie David Armstrong are at the front of the queue to take over in Ponga’s absence.

David Armstrong could make his NRL debut. Picture: Knights Media

Armstrong has been solid in NSW Cup in recent weeks while Gagai missed the loss to the Bulldogs with a calf problem, but should be back this week.

The former Queensland centre has experience at fullback and O’Brien must decide whether he wants to weaken the centres by moving Gagai to the No.1 jersey.

The other option is English import Will Pryce, who has experience at fullback in the Super league but has been playing five-eighth in the NSW Cup.

Regardless of who takes over, the Knights face an uphill battle to save their season without their highest-paid and best player.

-Michael Carayannis, Brent Read and Dean Ritchie

Kalyn Ponga suffered a foot injury. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Johnson managing painful Achilles injury

Andrew Webster is hopeful Shaun Johnson will take the field against the Gold Coast but the New Zealand Warriors coach has conceded the star halfback will need to be rested at some stage.

Johnson has been managing a painful Achilles injury, which forced him from the field with three minutes left on the clock in Friday night’s loss to St George Illawarra.

Webster revealed Johnson did not train on Monday and has been on a lighter workload as he nurses the niggling injury.

-Full story by Fatima Kdouh

Edwards, May and Cleary firm for Panthers

Penrith star fullback Dylan Edwards is expected to be cleared of a hamstring injury in a boost for the reigning premiers ahead of Saturday’s clash against North Queensland.

Edwards sent a scare through the Panthers camp after he was taken from the field in last weekend’s 22-6 win over the Wests Tigers with four minutes left to play.

The fullback is said to have felt some tightness in his hamstring and was given an early shower as a precaution.

Edwards has not been sent for scans at this stage but players were given Monday off and medical staff will assess the No.1 on his return to training on Tuesday.

Coach Ivan Cleary has a number of options to replace Edwards if the fullback is eventually ruled out.

Winger Sunia Turuva is a capable fullback, while the highly-regarded Isaiah Iongi has been biding his time in the No.1 jumper in reserve grade.

New signing Paul Alamoti made his club debut against the Tigers at centre in the absence of Taylan May.

May was withdrawn from last Saturday’s clash due to “personal reasons.”

The club insisted May’s late omission was not in relation to a social media controversy, where the centre posted a video from within a high powered sports car speeding through a residential area. May was not driving and there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on his behalf.

The return of May will likely see Alamoti drop out of the starting side. If Edwards doesn’t play and Turuva is favoured at fullback both Alamoti and May are in line for selection.

Superstar halfback Nathan Cleary is also in line to make a return from a hamstring injury that has kept the key playmaker sidelined since round four.

-Fatima Kdouh

Dylan Edwards is set to play despite a hamstring niggle.

Young gun to debut for Raiders amid injury crisis

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart is posed to parachute former Manly speedster Kaeo Weekes into his depleted side for Sunday’s big game against Cronulla at GIO Stadium.

Weekes’ expected elevation comes as the Raiders confirmed regular halfback Jamal Fogarty would be sidelined for up to 12 games with a ruptured bicep.

Fogarty will undergo surgery on Tuesday.

Canberra has no intention of trying to expedite the recruitment of Parramatta’s Ethan Sanders – a player signed from 2025 – for this year.

Weekes was 18th man against Brisbane on Saturday night and has been playing in five-eighth for Canberra’s NSW Cup side this season.

It is likely Weekes will partner young Ethan Strange in the halves.

Aged 22, Weekes isn’t a natural organising halfback but will offer Canberra considerable zip after being a sprint champion during his school days at Newington College.

Losing Fogarty long-term is a crushing blow for Canberra, who are already without injured stars Jordan Rapana (knee), Corey Horsburgh (groin) and Elliott Whitehead (calf).

Forward Zac Hosking (shoulder) is also injured.

-Dean Ritchie

Raiders young gun Kaeo Weekes. Picture: Canberra Raiders

FULL ROUND 8 EARLY MAIL, VIA TIM WILLIAMS

WARRIORS v TITANS

Thursday, 2pm, Go Media Stadium, Auckland

Warriors: Chanel Harris-Tavita (leg) and Dylan Walker (ankle) are both chances to return on the bench.

Titans: Phillip Sami is a chance to return from an ankle injury, whether that’s at fullback, where he was named in round 7, or in the outside backs remains to be seen.

If it is at fullback, it would see AJ Brimson shift to five-eighth and Tanah Boyd drop out of the team.

Keenan Palasia is a chance to return from a quad injury off the bench.

DRAGONS v ROOSTERS

Thursday, 4:05pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Dragons: Jack Bird returns from a head knock at centre, pushing Zac Lomax to the wing and Christian Tuipulotu out of the team.

Luciano Leilua is a chance to return from injury in the back-row.

Roosters: Provided he passes concussion protocols, Sam Walker will return in the halves, pushing Connor Watson to the bench.

Dom Young returns from suspension on the wing, pushing Joseph Suaalii to centre and Michael Jennings out of the team.

Sitili Tupouniua is expected to return from a head knock on the bench, while Sandon Smith is pushing to return from an elbow injury.

Zac Lomax likely switches to the bench. Picture: NRL Photos

STORM v RABBITOHS

Thursday, 7:50pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm: Tepai Moeroa is a chance to return from a back injury on the bench in what would likely be the only change.

Rabbitohs: Tevita Tatola is out long-term with a fractured foot, this is likely to see Davy Moale start at prop.

Tyrone Munro suffered a fractured collarbone and will likely be replaced by Izaac Thompson, while Jacob Gagai is another option.

Cameron Murray must past concussion protocols to take his place for South Sydney, however with the bye last week he’s likely to be cleared.

Jai Arrow is pushing to return from a shoulder injury over the next fortnight.

SEA EAGLES v EELS

Friday, 8pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Sea Eagles: Josh Aloiai returns from suspension, while Nathan Brown is a chance to return from a knee injury.

Eels: Daejarn Asi must pass concussion protocols to take his place in the halves for the Eels.

If unavailable, Blaize Talagi may earn a recall in the starting side alongside Dylan Brown.

TIGERS v BRONCOS

Saturday, 5:30pm, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney

Tigers: Junior Tupou suffered a suspected broken foot in the loss to Penrith that would rule him out for a period if confirmed.

If Starford Toa isn’t cleared to return from injury, this could open a door for Josh Feledy or Solomon Alaimalo to come in on the wing.

Broncos: Brisbane are likely to welcome back a number of stars either this week or next.

Brendan Piakura (ankle), Adam Reynolds (hamstring) and Payne Haas (knee) are all closing in on returns.

Piakura would replace Jaiyden Hunt on the edge, Reynolds would replace Jock Madden in the halves and Haas would push Fletcher Baker to the bench.

Kotoni Staggs failed to finish the game against the Raiders with what appeared a leg injury, but isn’t believed to be in any major doubt.

Adam Reynolds is set to return from a knee injury. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

COWBOYS v PANTHERS

Saturday, 7:35pm, QCB Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys: Heilum Luki is due back in the next fortnight from an ankle injury in the only likely change.

Panthers: Nathan Cleary is a chance to return from a hamstring injury in the halves, this would see Brad Schneider drop out of the team.

Taylan May is likely to return at centre in place of Paul Alamoti after missing the Tigers clash due to personal matters.

Dylan Edwards has a minor leg concern and is in some doubt to face the Cowboys.

DOLPHINS v KNIGHTS

Sunday, 2pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Dolphins: Connelly Lemuelu is due to return from a knee injury off the bench.

Kurt Donoghoe returns from suspension on the bench.

Tom Flegler is pushing to return from a shoulder injury at prop, which would see Mark Nicholls drop to the bench.

Knights: Kalyn Ponga is out for three months with a foot injury.

David Armstrong and Dane Gagai are the contenders to play fullback.

English import Will Pryce has been playing halves in NSW Cup and is not considered a contender.

RAIDERS v SHARKS

Sunday, 4:05pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders: Jamal Fogarty is expected to miss an extended period with a bicep injury, which will likely see Kaeo Weekes make his Raiders debut in the halves.

Albert Hopoate will continue his push to return from a burnt hand and may replace James Schiller on the wing if cleared.

Sharks: Sione Katoa returns from suspension on the wing, pushing Sam Stonestreet out of the team.

Dale Finucane (facial injury) and Royce Hunt (calf) are strong chance.