Sport Confidential: Michael Maguire does U-turn on Cory Paix, Martin Taupau reveals details of Australia Day racist attack
After being shown the door at Brisbane under Kevin Walters, a forgotten Bronco may be set for a Red Hill lifeline from new coach Michael Maguire. That and more in Sport Confidential.
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Previously unwanted Broncos utility Cory Paix may be about to receive a lifeline from new coach Michael Maguire.
Paix has been in the wilderness at Red Hill after falling out of favour with former coach Kevin Walters.
He failed to play an NRL game in 2024 after being told he was free to leave the club despite being contracted until the end of 2025.
Paix, 24, dug his heels in and refused to leave Brisbane, punching out an impressive season with Souths Logan that saw him named hooker in the Hostplus Cup team of the year.
And his persistence may be about to pay off, with Maguire indicating he won’t be forcing Paix out the door.
Paix looks set to stay at the Broncos next season and in some other good news, he will marry partner Keeley Malcolm on Friday.
COWBOYS BIG COBBO CALL
The Cowboys have ruled out launching a poaching bid for Selwyn Cobbo amid speculation the Broncos young gun could be headed to Townsville.
Rugby league’s rumour mill hit overdrive on Monday when a report surfaced claiming the Cowboys were targeting Cobbo as a possible replacement for Dragons-bound Valentine Holmes next season.
Cobbo’s future at the Broncos remains uncertain.
The Maroons flyer is off-contract at the end of next year and will become a free agent from November 1.
At this stage, the Broncos have not tabled a new offer for Cobbo, who can head to free agency should he not sign a Brisbane extension over the next fortnight.
The one certainty is he will not be at the Cowboys for 2026 and beyond.
With Holmes off to the Dragons, North Queensland could do with a match-winning centre or winger, but when contacted by Sport Confidential, Cowboys chiefs confirmed Cobbo is not on their radar.
The Cowboys believe they need more mongrel and grit, not the backline flair that Cobbo brings.
In an ideal world, Broncos coach Michael Maguire would like to retain Cobbo and off-contract Kotoni Staggs but said he had to get an understanding of Brisbane’s salary cap.
“Until I sort of understand the cap, I can’t really make judgment,” Maguire told SEN.
“Obviously they’re players that I definitely want. They’re high quality players and that’s what makes the team the way it is.
“I’ll look at the style of how we play, and obviously defensively. It goes without saying that you need to be a very strong defensive team to be able to win a competition.
“You’ve got two teams that just played (in the grand final) recently in Melbourne and Penrith. They’re the two best defensive teams.
“That comes back with the style of player, the attitude of the player, and working towards that as a group as well.
“There’s a lot of talent, but ultimately the hard work is on the other side of the ball when you don’t have it, and that’s the defensive side.
“We need to be strong in that area.”
Former Broncos skipper Corey Parker believes Cobbo would have benefited from a move north to be mentored by Cowboys consultant Johnathan Thurston.
“I agree he would benefit if he was to go to the Cowboys under ‘JT’ (Thurston),” Parker said.
“I think what JT would be able to teach Selwyn would be invaluable.
“If he was going anywhere it would make sense for him to go north to the Cowboys.”
FORAN FOOTS BOOTS
Gold Coast Titans veteran Kieran Foran is auctioning one of his most prized possessions for a good cause.
The Asics Lethal Testimonial boots that Foran wore in his 300th NRL game this year are up for grabs as part of his quest to tackle suicide.
Foran has teamed up with the Top Blokes Foundation following the tragic death of his stepson Logan Steinwede last year.
Top Blokes is a youth mental health charity helping young males build resilience and strength to navigate life’s challenges.
Ankle surgery prevented Foran from completing the Lift the Load Challenge this month, a 50km walk carrying 10kg that signifies the burden mental health carries.
So he has instead found another way to raise money for a cause close to his and wife Karina’s hearts.
“I’ve never done anything like this before,” Foran said.
“One lucky fan will get this prized possession in their home. These are very special boots to me.
“Getting to 300 NRL games took 16 seasons. It’s been quite the journey with a number of ups and downs.
“I don’t give them away lightly but what’s important to me is making a difference to the lives of young men.
“If raising funds can help deliver more of these programs then that’s more important to me than a pair of footy boots.”
Bidding for the boots is via titans.com.au and has already eclipsed $1000.
BRONCO REVEALS DETAILS OF RACIST ATTACK
Broncos prop Marty Taupau has revealed he was the victim of an Australia Day racist attack and has launched a crusade to tackle vilification.
Taupau has become the latest in a growing list of NRL players like Latrell Mitchell and Ezra Mam to speak publicly about racism.
A 255-game NRL veteran, Taupau has played Test football for New Zealand and Samoa and is preparing for his third season with the Broncos.
Taupau and wife Michelle have started speakers’ bureau and talent management agency DSRUPTRS, with the aim of tackling various issues in society.
Speaking on The Little Fish Podcast, Taupau said he had been racially abused on Australia Day.
“I still can’t believe it (racism) happens to this day,” he said.
“I remember a couple of years ago, ironically on Australia Day, we had just got our puppy and went down to the park with the kids. We were having a nice stroll and there was this other dog that got a bit chirpy with our dog and I said (to the other dog owner) ‘can you please get your dog away?’
“We went back and forth and I said ‘look, relax, what the f**k is going on?’ and she said ‘go back to where you came from’.
“Why on all days, Australia Day, would you say that? I will never forget that and that really hurt.
“There were so many things I wanted to do, but what’s the point of reacting when you have your kids and family there? It’s not setting a good example.
“I believe I am pretty thick skinned, I have been in this game a long time, I have copped a lot of criticism.
“But when it came to that specific (racial) comment, it was like, it didn’t really hit me at first. I sat around and then mentioned it to Michelle and she lost her shit and I thought if I don’t say anything or act on this, that person will think it’s OK.”
The NRL has become embroiled in a number of racism scandals involving players, spectators and online trolls.
Taupau, 34, said he wanted to help victims of racism.
“For the people who get racial slurs thrown at them, the best thing is to surround yourself with good people and make you feel safe,” he said.
“It will help get that hate off your shoulder and you can express it to your safe group.
“I internalise a lot of that, but my wife is the safe person for me.
“You get comments of support to ease the pain and that can empower the next generation.”
REYNO SURVIVES AXE
Adam Reynolds is set to remain as captain of the Broncos under incoming coach Michael Maguire.
Reynolds’ leadership has come under the microscope following Brisbane’s dramatic crash this year and stinging criticism from former Broncos skipper Gorden Tallis.
But Maguire said he saw no reason to strip the captaincy from Reynolds, who was halfback in the South Sydney team that won the 2014 NRL premiership under Maguire.
“I don’t have any reason (to replace Reynolds as captain),” Maguire told SEN.
“I’ve had a long relationship with Adam and have got a lot of time for Adam. We won a comp together
“He is a winner. He’s taken that team to some pretty good places already, so as long as he’s fit and healthy and he is right, he is a great leader.”
AMERICAN LEAGUE TARGETS BRONCOS
Rugby League America (RLA) officials will meet with the Broncos to offer Brisbane the chance to buy a US franchise.
As revealed by this column in February, a consortium of Australian businessmen had met with ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys to pitch plans for a $23 million, 10-team competition in America.
Manly chairman Scott Penn has expressed his interest in buying a New York club and now the Broncos have been targeted to buy a franchise in the proposed US Super League.
RLA powerbroker Tony Feasey confirmed the Broncos are in the consortium’s plans and will be approached to help grow the sport in one of the world’s biggest sporting markets.
“The Broncos are a huge brand in rugby league and we would love to have them involved,” he said.
“We’ve already sold a couple of franchises and had interest in four or five, so there won’t be any problem filling 10 licences.
“But the Broncos are on our hit list and I’ll look to meet with them to discuss being part of this historic league.”
The league, to be operational by 2026 or 2027, would be owned and governed by private investors.
While the ARL Commission would not be expected to run the competition, the consortium is prepared to offer an ownership stake, and official branding rights, to give the NRL a bona fide, long-term presence in North America.
Such an alliance could help springboard the NRL into America on the back of rugby league’s inaugural premiership double header in Las Vegas this year.
RLA chiefs are keen for NRL clubs such as the Broncos to get involved, potentially giving Brisbane another development stream and feeder-club links to American talent.
BADGE OF HONOUR
In a further boost for the proposed American league, the RLA has signed Queensland Origin legend Gary Belcher.
No, ‘Badge’ won’t be making a playing comeback. Belcher has agreed terms to oversee the US Super League’s elite officials program alongside Henry Perenara, a former NRL referee.
Now aged 62, Belcher stepped back from his NRL media commitments last year and has been enjoying a quiet retirement on the Gold Coast.
Belcher is one of the code’s great fullbacks, playing 148 games for Canberra as well as 16 Origin matches for Queensland and 15 Tests for Australia.
TITANIC FIGHT FOR KINI
The Gold Coast are facing a looming battle to keep newly-minted Paul Broughton Medallist Keano Kini.
The 20-year-old is one of the hottest properties in the NRL after a dream season at the Titans and has been hailed as Gold Coast’s version of Storm fullback legend Billy Slater.
Kini is happy at the Titans, but the conundrum for the club is where the Kiwi sensation fits in long term.
AJ Brimson is widely regarded as the Titans’ No.1 custodian, while another fullback option, Jayden Campbell, has had stints in the halves.
Kini is off-contract at the end of 2026 and is sure to attract interest over the next 12 months after a sizzling 2024 campaign that saw him average 212 metres per game.
Incredibly, he twice broke 300 metres in a match, amassing a club record 344m in round 24 against the Dragons on his way to player-of-the-year honours.
Kini’s manager Chris Orr confirmed the pint-sized dynamo will be a man in demand.
“Keano reminds me of Billy Slater,” Orr said.
“He is one of the fittest players in the game … if a player is going to score in the corner, Kini will be there to tackle him.
“It’s quite remarkable for any player in the game to run 300 metres in a game once, let alone twice.
“He is a free agent next year at a time when James Tedesco comes off-contract at the Roosters.
“Keano is happy at the Titans but he is sure to have some interest if he went to the open market.”
LODGE READY TO RUMBLE
One of the NRL’s most controversial characters, Matt Lodge, is ready to step into the boxing ring.
Sport Confidential can reveal Lodge has been approached to make his professional boxing debut against his own teammate, Manly prop Josh Aloiai.
Tim Tszyu’s promoters No Limit are putting together an NRL Fight Night, slated for November 29, and Lodge shapes as the headline act on a card that could also include Curtis Scott.
Lodge has flirted with the fight game for some time.
Two years ago, he was in talks to fight and while that fight never came to fruition, the 118kg prop has always been keen to throw down.
Now he will get his chance against Aloiai, who is rated a handy fighter, winning his first fight in 2017 with a savage second-round knockout.
Lodge is one of the most polarising figures in Australian sport.
He was involved in an infamous drunken rampage in New York in 2015 and Lodge would revel in his status as a Gallen-style boxing villain.
Organisers also considered Tevita Pangai Jr as a possible option, but the Dolphins prop will leave Australia next week to begin his stint at French Super League club Catalans.
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