NRL Early Mail Round 18: Selwyn Cobbo and Deine Mariner set for Broncos recalls, Luke Metcalf torn ACL

Selwyn Cobbo is one of two out-of-favour Broncos players set to receive an SOS from Michael Maguire, while the season has gone from bad to worse for the Wahs. See the full round 18 early mail.

Out-of-favour duo Selwyn Cobbo and Deine Mariner are set to answer an SOS from Broncos coach Michael Maguire for Friday night’s blockbuster against the Bulldogs in Sydney.

But Ben Hunt’s frustrating battle with a hamstring injury continues with the Broncos utility racing the clock to prove his fitness for the showdown with equal ladder leaders Canterbury at Accor Stadium.

The selection of Reece Walsh and Gehamat Shibasaki in Queensland’s Origin III squad has decimated Brisbane’s backline, bringing Cobbo and Mariner into the selection frame.

Just days after signing a one-year deal with arch rivals the Dolphins for 2026, Cobbo’s three-week stint in reserve grade is set to end with Maguire looking at him as a fullback, wing or centre option for the Bulldogs clash.

Mariner, meanwhile, is also in contention for a recall after spending the past month in the Hostplus Cup.

Maguire has a number of permutations to consider. Cobbo could play fullback to fill the Walsh void or start at centre in place of Shibasaki, who will make a stunning Origin debut for Queensland on Wednesday week.

Selwyn Cobbo is set to return to first grade. Picture Lachie Millard

Jesse Arthars is another option at fullback, a scenario that would see Maguire decide whether to use Mariner at centre and Cobbo on the wing, where he prefers to play the Dolphins-bound flyer.

The Dolphins were keen to get Cobbo before June 30 but Maguire refused to authorise a transfer and now the 23-year-old gets a glorious chance to keep pressure on the man who took his spot, Josiah Karapani.

Deine Mariner is also set for a first grade recall. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

In other key selection news, hooking duo Cory Paix or Billy Walters could dodge the selection axe with Hunt no guarantee to face the Bulldogs.

The 35-year-old was hoping to return last week against the Warriors, but his recovery from a hamstring injury has been slower than expected and Maguire will assess Hunt in the coming days.

Hunt’s possible scratching for another week would spare Maguire the agonising call of whether to axe Paix or Walters, both of whom have been impressive in helping Brisbane to three consecutive wins.

Maguire said he would give Hunt every chance to play against a Bulldogs side that will also lose Max King, Stephen Crichton, Jacob Kiraz and Kurt Mann to Origin duties.

“He is managing that,” Maguire said of Hunt’s injury.

Ben Hunt is no guarantee to be available this week. Picture: NRL Images

“He had a fairly decent run (last Saturday) so I’m looking forward to having him available for selection.

“He wasn’t 100 per cent (for the Warriors clash).

“It will be nice to have ‘Hunty’ available, we are working really hard towards that, when that comes about, I will make some decisions.”

-Peter Badel

TORN ACL FOR METCALF, NICOLL-KLOKSTAD SIDELINED

The Warriors have lost another key spine member to injury with fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad set to be sidelined.

In the wake of star halfback Luke Metcalf being ruled out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, scans have revealed Nicoll-Klokstad has a medial ligament injury to his knee.

The damaging fullback is facing three to four weeks on the sideline with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck the most likely replacement at the back for the Warriors next match after this week’s bye against the Wests Tigers in round 19.

Meanwhile scans have confirmed the shattering news that halfback Luke Metcalf has torn his ACL.

The Dally M leader was clinging to the faint hope that MRI scans taken in Auckland on Monday would deliver a different result.

However, Metcalf’s 2025 season is now over in a major blow for the 26-year-old who was enjoying a breakout season as the chief playmaker of the fourth-placed Warriors.

Metcalf suffered the injury after being hit in a tackle from Brisbane forward Brendan Piakura in last Saturday’s 26-12 loss to the Broncos.

Metcalf is acutely aware of the magnitude of the lengthy setback having suffered a torn ACL in 2019.

This is the second time Luke Metcalf has torn his ACL. Picture: Getty Images

The Warriors are likely to turn to either Te Maire Martin or Tanah Boyd to partner Chanel Harris-Tavita in the halves.

Martin has assumed the No.14 bench utility role for the Warriors this season, while Boyd has been a mainstay of the NSW Cup side that has won 11 straight games to sit clear atop the ladder.

The season-ending injury for Metcalf also throws the Dally M’s wide open.

Such had been the level of excellence from Metcalf’s outstanding season, the 26-year-old led the Dally M count on 31 points prior to voting going behind closed doors in round 13.

Cronulla’s Will Kennedy was second on 29 points followed by Roosters captain James Tedesco on 28 points.

—David Riccio

ORIGIN FORCES WALSH OUT

Queensland coach Billy Slater has delivered a bullet to Brisbane’s mid-season resurgence after robbing the Broncos of star fullback Reece Walsh for Friday’s blockbuster clash with Canterbury.

Walsh will be unavailable for the Broncos in the round 18 showdown at Accor Stadium after being recalled to the Queensland State of Origin squad for Wednesday week’s decider in Sydney.

On the comeback from a knee injury, Walsh has missed out on the Queensland No. 1 jersey vacated by the injured Kalyn Ponga (foot) to Dolphins flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

He has instead been named 18th man for the Maroons.

While he is unlikely to play in Game Three of the Origin series, the fact he is 18th man means he won’t be released back to the Broncos for club duties this week.

Bulldogs five-eighth Matt Burton was in a similar position for the opening two games of the series as NSW’s 18th man.

The 18th man rule has been controversial in recent years given the impact it has on a player’s NRL club by him missing a game but not playing Origin.

Reece Walsh’s return sparked a three-game winning run for the Broncos. Picture: Getty Images

The return of Walsh from injury has helped spark the Broncos to a three-game winning streak, and back into top four contention, following a lean two months while he was sidelined.

But Slater had some concerns over Walsh’s fitness – he has been limping at times during games – and decided to go with Tabuai-Fidow at fullback for the Maroons and Broncos bolter Gehamat Shibasaki at centre.

Brisbane forwards Payne Haas (NSW) and Pat Carrigan (Queensland) have retained their positions for the Origin finale, leaving the Broncos without four players for the Bulldogs game.

The Bulldogs will be without captain Stephen Crichton, prop Max King, utility Kurt Mann and winger Jacob Kiraz, who has replaced Burton as 18th man for NSW.

—Travis Meyn

Reece Walsh is 18th man for the Maroons. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

SULLIVAN OUT FOR SEASON

Souths have lost halfback Jayden Sullivan for the remainder of the season after he suffered a broken leg in reserve grade over the weekend.

He will enter hospital for surgery on Monday.

Sullivan is under contract to the Wests Tigers for the next two years and has played his last game for the Rabbitohs.

—Phil Rothfield

BRONCO AVOIDS SUSPENSION

Brisbane can breathe a sigh of relief after Brendan Piakura avoided charge for a baffling incident in Saturday’s win over the Warriors which forced star half Luke Metcalf from the field.

The NRL’s match review committee restored sense after the Broncos forward was placed on report for a big shot on Melcalf which was neither late nor illegal.

However, it did come at a price for the Warriors, who fear a torn ACL injury for the leading Dally M Medal contender in the midst of his breakout season.

Brendan Piakura has escaped a suspension. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Kelma Tuilagi is facing a big ban for a crusher. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

PARRA FORWARD FACES FOUR WEEKS

Parramatta have taken another hit to their season with in form forward Kelma Tuilagi facing a four-match suspension for a crusher tackle in the 79th minute of Saturday’s loss to St George Illawarra.

Tuilagi has been charged with a grade two crusher tackle on Eels-bound Dragons veteran Jack de Belin.

Given it’s his second offence, he will miss three games with an early guilty plea, but risks four at the judiciary if he fights the charge.

—Pamela Whaley

BULLDOGS v BRONCOS

Friday, 8:00pm, Accor Stadium

Bulldogs:

Stephen Crichton and Max King will once again be with the NSW Blues, while Kurt Mann will oppose them in Queensland Camp.

Joining them for the first time will be winger Jacob Kiraz who, after being named 18th man for NSW, also won’t be available for club football this weekend.

Blake Wilson or Enari Tuala are expected to be called up from Cup to replace Crichton and Kiraz. But another option could be Lachlan Galvin or Matt Burton to start in the centres and the other at five-eighth.

Daniel Suluka-Fifita failed a HIA in Round 17 but the club have announced they’ll challenge the decision.

Jaeman Salmon and Sitili Tupouniua are both a fortnight away from returning.

Broncos:

Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan will be missing for the Broncos on Origin duty. Expect Xavier Willison and Kobe Hetherington to shift into the starting side to replace them.

Gehamat Shibasaki will also make his Origin debut in the vacancy created by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s shift to fullback, while Reece Walsh is 18th man for Queensland which will make him unavailable this weekend.

Jesse Arthars is favoured to start at fullback in the absence of Walsh. Deine Mariner and Selwyn Cobbo could both rejoin the first grade side in the centres and wing for Shibasaki and Arthars.

Ben Hunt will again attempt a return this week, with the expectation he will land the starting hooker role. This would see Cory Paix and Billy Walters battle it out for a bench role, with Walters’ utility value to potentially give him the upper hand.

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RAIDERS v DRAGONS

Saturday, 5:30pm, GIO Stadium

Raiders:

Hudson Young will once again be on Blues duty with Simi Sasagi to start on the left edge.

The new face in Queensland camp, Josh Papali’i will also create a vacancy in the Raiders pack with Morgan Smithies a chance to join the run on side at lock, with Corey Horsburgh at prop.

Joseph Tapine is in doubt due to a finger injury. If he has avoided a fracture, he could play this week with a splint.

The rest of the starting side will be 1-13 with Trey Mooney a chance to join the bench.

Dragons:

The Dragons Round 17 victory against Parramatta came with an almost unimaginable injury toll.

Christian Tuipulotu was lost in the warm-up to a hamstring injury, and his replacement Nathan Lawson hurt his shoulder and has been sent for scans.

The returning Jaydn Su’A also appeared hampered by an ankle injury but did finish the game. Toby Couchman was not so lucky with what appeared to be a shoulder dislocation that will likely require a reconstruction and end his season.

Hamish Stewart also suffered a concussion and won’t be available for selection until Round 19.

There were also niggling injuries to Damien Cook (ankle), Luciano Leilua (cork) and Vunipola Fifita (knee) which will need to be monitored this week, with Leilua the most serious and set to require scans.

Tyrell Sloan is a chance to earn a recall on the left wing, with Nick Tsougranis to start in the centres in place of the Origin bound Valentine Holmes. Loko Pasifiki-Tonga and Raymond Faitala-Mariner will also be recalled to the bench.

COWBOYS v STORM

Saturday, 7:35pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys:

The Origin contingent of Reuben Cotter, Reece Robson, Tom Dearden and Jeremiah Nanai will all miss this week.

Jordan McLean (calf) and John Bateman (groin) are also in doubt after being withdrawn in Round 17 due to injury.

Tom Duffy is expected to partner Jake Clifford in the halves, keeping Jaxon Purdue in the centres. Opposite centre Viliami Vailea had surgery on a broken foot and will be out for an extended period.

With Karl Lawton suspended, Sam McIntyre is expected to start at hooker, Kai O’Donnell in the second row and Harrison Edwards at lock.

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Storm:

Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Xavier Coates and Trent Loiero are all unavailable while on Origin duty.

Sua Fa’alogo injured his hamstring in the club’s Round 17 victory over the Sharks and will be sent for scans, but is expected to miss at least a month if not more.

Also missing is Jack Howarth who suffered appendicitis and will spend a few weeks on the sidelines.

Tyran Wishart and Bronson Garlick will move into the starting spine. Kane Bradley is expected to be named at wing and could hold a starting spot until the return of Howarth.

ROOSTERS v WESTS TIGERS

Sunday, 2:00pm, Allianz Stadium

Roosters:

The Chooks Origin contingent of Angus Crichton, Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu, Lindsay Collins and Robert Toia are all unavailable.

Joining them on the sideline are Victor Radley (concussion) and Suia Wong, who suffered a MCL injury to his knee and will miss at least a month. Radley is aiming for a Round 19 return, Wong Round 23.

Salesi Foketi is likely to start at lock in place of Radley. Blake Steep could also step into the starting line-up. Egan Butcher is available for selection following a concussion and could also start on an edge.

NSW Cup winger Tom Rodwell is expected to make his NRL debut on the wing with Mark Nawaqanitawase shifting to right centre.

The Roosters have also signed winger Junior Tupou mid-season from the Dolphins who could also come into the run on side.

Benaiah Ioelu will start at hooker with Makahesi Makatoa and Taylor Losalu to join the front row rotation via the bench.

Sandon Smith was cleared of serious injury after being unable to finish the last Roosters game. He’s expected to continue to start in the halves with Sam Walker aiming for a Round 20 return.

Wests Tigers:

It’s crisis mode at Concord as the injury bug rips through. Not a single member of the club’s first choice spine to start the season is available and depth is being tested.

Jarome Luai is with the Blues, Jahream Bula is out for a month (hamstring) and co-captain Api Koroisau will miss the week after suffering a concussion in Round 17.

Heath Mason is also facing a week on the sideline through suspension and adding further pain is the club exit of Tallyn da Silva to the Eels.

Adam Doueihi will be named alongside Latu Fainu in the halves. Tristan Hope should start at hooker, and Luke Laulilii will join the starting side either at fullback or on the wing with Sunia Turuva shifting to the back. Brent Naden is also expected to be recalled.

After a strong performance in NSW Cup, Royce Hunt could also be recalled to the bench.

SEA EAGLES v RABBITOHS

Sunday, 4:05pm, 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles:

With no Origin players, the Sea Eagles will come into the week with a strong side.

Tom Trbojevic will again start at centre with Lehi Hopoate at fullback. The starting side will be named 1-13 with Corey Waddell to continue in the second row until the expected return of Haumole Olakau’atu in Round 21.

Prop Nathan Brown is facing an extended absence with a suspected torn pec.

Rabbitohs:

Latrell Mitchell will once again be with the Blues. Cody Walker is also expected to miss more game time having hurt his hamstring in his return from a calf issue.

Jayden Sullivan was expected to join Jamie Humphreys in the halves, but suffered a broken leg in NSW Cup and is out for the season.

Coach Wayne Bennett will need to decide how to use veteran Jack Wighton. He is mostly likely to vacate the centre jersey for Isaiah Tass to play five-eighth or even play fullback.

Tyrone Munro or Alex Johnston could also play fullback with Isaiah Tass and Fletcher Myers to prop up the vacancies in the back five.

BYE: Knights, Titans, Panthers, Sharks, Eels, Warriors, Dolphins

Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 18: Selwyn Cobbo and Deine Mariner set for Broncos recalls, Luke Metcalf torn ACL