NRL Casualty Ward 2022: Brisbane Broncos fullback Tesi Niu set to miss round one through injury

Brisbane’s worrying trial form has been compounded by the news that the Broncos are set to go into their NRL season opener against South Sydney undermanned.

Brisbane’s playmaking spine is in disarray on the eve of the 2022 premiership with Broncos coach Kevin Walters revealing first-choice fullback Tesi Niu is set to be ruled out of their season opener against South Sydney.

Brisbane’s worrying trial form, headlined by Saturday night’s 26-6 collapse against the Cowboys, has been compounded by the news Niu is at long odds to face the Bunnies at Suncorp Stadium on Friday week.

Niu suffered a grade-two hamstring tear at training and Brisbane medicos were hoping the best-case scenario – a four-week recovery – would see him cleared to wear the No.1 jumper in round one.

Fullback Tesi Niu has a hamstring tear. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

But in the wake of Brisbane’s disappointing trial display in Mackay, Walters confirmed Niu will be scratched at a time when the Broncos coach is also sweating on his five-eighth to partner star halfback recruit Adam Reynolds.

The omission of Niu has blown the battle for the Brisbane No.1 jumper wide open, with young gun Selwyn Cobbo rocketing into contention after his impressive debut at fullback against the Cowboys.

“I think Tesi will be unlikely for round one,” Walters conceded.

“At this stage, we don’t plan on having him as part of the group, so we will have to find someone else other than Tesi to play fullback against Souths.

“Whether Selwyn stays there for round one is something I need to discuss in the next seven days. I will talk to our senior players and the coaching staff and see who our fullback will be if Tesi isn’t available.

“Jamayne Isaako has good experience at fullback, so we have some options if Tesi isn’t there for the early rounds of the competition.”

Broncos coach Kevin Walters is flanked by Allan Langer (left) and his brother, Steve Walters, during Saturday night’s loss to North Queensland in Mackay. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Walters must confront a backfield conundrum.

Does he opt for the Kiwi Test pedigree of Isaako, who will defect to Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins next season, or roll the dice with teenager Cobbo, who is precociously talented but is extremely raw with just seven NRL games under his belt?

The 19-year-old underlined his class in the Cowboys trial, amassing 107 metres, 13 runs and two tackle busts, but a premiership debut at fullback against last year’s grand finalists is a huge test.

The fullback spot is a key component of a four-man NRL playmaking spine and Walters will consult senior players Reynolds and Kurt Capewell on whether he should retain Cobbo in the No.1 jumper.

“Selwyn was very good at the back,” Walters said.

“He has a long way to go yet, the Cowboys were quite physical with him, that’s to be expected, it’s the NRL.

Selwyn Cobbo against the Cowboys on Saturday night. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

“Selwyn has only played six or seven NRL games and he is still learning. The fullback role is a key role, so we’ll make some decisions in the next 12 days before we face the Bunnies.”

New Broncos skipper Reynolds watched the Cowboys clash from the Mackay sidelines and saw enough bravery from Cobbo to suggest the Cherbourg whiz-kid wouldn’t be daunted by a South Sydney baptism.

“Selwyn is a special talent,” he said.

“He is a kid who is willing to put his body on the line each play and he doesn’t ask too many questions, he just gets in there, has a crack and runs the ball strongly from his own end.

“He will only get better as the year goes on.”

Originally published as NRL Casualty Ward 2022: Brisbane Broncos fullback Tesi Niu set to miss round one through injury