NRL 2023: Broncos captain Adam Reynolds’ injury myth dispelled

Brisbane’s return to finals football will hinge on champion halfback Adam Reynolds’ fitness but coach Kevin Walters won’t be protecting his captain.

Kevin Walters won’t hide his captain. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

Broncos coach Kevin Walters has dismissed concerns about Adam Reynolds’ long-term health and has backed his injured skipper to get the green light for Brisbane’s season-opening blockbuster against Penrith.

Walters told News Corp he has no plans to rest Reynolds this season to help safeguard his champion captain in the twilight of his career after Brisbane’s most important player was again wiped out of the pre-season trials.

For the second consecutive year, Reynolds failed to play a single minute of trial action, missing Saturday night’s 20-18 NRL Pre-Season Challenge defeat of the Cowboys due to a lower back injury.

Reynolds turns 33 in July and there is a view the Broncos need to carefully manage the 251-game veteran’s workload to ensure he is physically capable of seeing out his Brisbane contract, which expires at the end of next season.

But Walters insists Reynolds is not an injury risk and says he won’t be wrapping his No.1 playmaker in cotton wool as the Broncos chase their first finals appearance since 2019.

“We won’t be resting ‘Reyno’ this year,” Walters said.

“We will play him as much as we can this year.

Kevin Walters won’t hide his captain. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

“He is such a competitive guy and he wants to be on the field as much as possible.

“It’s important our high-performance staff are looking after his body week to week and in and around training.

“I was really happy with Adam’s performances last year. He is determined this year to knuckle down and get himself in the best shape for what I’m confident will be another very strong season from him.”

History shows Reynolds is an NRL ironman capable of playing through the pain barrier.

The premiership playmaker has played 20 games or more in nine of his 11 NRL seasons and has averaged 22 matches a year since his top-grade debut for South Sydney in 2012.

Reynolds, who played 20 games in his maiden season at the Broncos last year, watched Brisbane’s trial defeat of the Cowboys from the coaching box and Walters is confident his classy No.7 will take on the Panthers in the premiership opener on Friday, March 3.

“He should be right for round one,” Walters said.

“He is confident of playing. He has another 12 days before the game against Penrith takes place. I reckon he will be there. I think he will be fine. He seems confident enough. He is a good experienced player so he’ll know if he’s ready.”

Walters admits star fullback Reece Walsh (facial fracture) may not join Reynolds in Brisbane’s playmaking spine for the Panthers showdown.

“I would say he (Reynolds) is a better chance than Reece,” Walters said.

“But never write a young man off.

“Reece has a bit of go about him, so I’m sure he wants to play as well. We’re in a good position and if we get those two in the team, that will be delightful for us.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: Broncos captain Adam Reynolds’ injury myth dispelled