Brisbane Broncos Round 17 team news: Billy Walters and Cory Paix in utility shootout

Billy Walters and Cory Paix are in a desperate fight to remain in Brisbane’s game-day squad with the return of the club’s marquee signing imminent. Broncos Round 17 team news.

Billy Walters and Cory Paix have been plunged into a desperate 80-minute shootout with the axe hovering over the Broncos hooking duo in Saturday night’s clash against the Warriors.

Marquee recruit Ben Hunt (hamstring) was set to return against the Warriors, but Broncos coach Michael Maguire is taking a cautious approach with a view to naming him against the Bulldogs on Friday week.

Barring injuries this week, Hunt is set to return in the No.9 jumper in Round 18, finally giving Maguire the chance to deploy his playmaking dream team alongside Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds.

Walters is acutely aware that scenario means either he or Paix are headed for reserve grade, with the grand-final rake desperate to impress in the round 17 clash against the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium.

Paix has been named to start at hooker, giving him the inside running over interchange utility Walters, who concedes Hunt’s impending return has intensified competition at the Broncos ruck.

Asked if the Warriors clash is one final audition to remain in the team, Walters said: “I suppose so, but if you look at it like that you start reading into it too much and that can bring out some nerves and I guess not your best football.

Billy Walters and Cory Paix . Picture: Adam Head

“I feel like everyone’s position is up for grabs.

“We’ve got a lot of good nines at the club and it means I’ve got to play my best footy or I’ll find myself playing Queensland Cup.

“I don’t know which way ‘Madge’ (coach Maguire) is going to go.

“It’s been up to me and ‘Paixy’ to see who’s playing the best or who can bring the most out of the team.

“I keep asking ‘Dozer’ (Hunt) when he’s going to be back, hoping I can push it back a little bit further just to make sure I’m in the team (laughs).

“Even if I’m not in the team, I’ll still be trying hard to get back in the team.

“Rugby league changes pretty quickly, so you have always got to be ready and just take the opportunity when it’s there.

“I suppose we’ll see in the next coming weeks.”

The Broncos have come under fire for having too many hookers on their roster and there is a view Walters is under the most pressure given his advancing years, with the son of club legend Kevin turning 32 in February.

Paix remains off-contract at season’s end but has begun talks on a new deal, while rising rake Mozer, 21, last week inked a two-year extension with the Broncos.

Walters is contracted to Brisbane until the end of 2026 and is confident he has more to offer the club after being the Broncos’ pre-eminent hooker for the past three years, starring in their grand-final charge in 2023.

“I had a little joke with Mozer the other day that Souths Logan will be cheering he has signed for another two years,” Walters said with a cheeky grin.

“I’m signed for next year, so I’m not too worried at the moment.

“A lot of things can change.

“If you asked me this time last year, I wouldn’t have thought Ben Hunt was going to be at the club and nearly going to take my spot.

NRL - Brisbane Broncos training. Ben Hunt. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“I’m not sure what Madge’s plan is yet, but it just means I’ve got to play my best footy and try and put my best foot forward.”

Maguire has named an unchanged team after last week’s epic 34-28 comeback defeat of the Sharks and Walters is confident the fifth-placed Broncos can make a mid-season charge to the top four.

The Broncos are keen to avenge their crushing 20-18 golden-point loss to the Warriors in round 7.

“They got one over us in New Zealand and we’re hoping to get one back on them at Suncorp on Saturday,” Walters said.

“We had to come from behind from a fair margin (last week) and I’m hoping that can springboard us into the rest of the year and show that we can come back from anywhere.”

BRONCOS V WARRIORS

Saturday, 3pm, Suncorp Stadium

Broncos

1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

Interchange: 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Xavier Willison 17. Jack Gosiewski

Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Selwyn Cobbo 20. Deine Mariner 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Ben Talty

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Edward Kosi 3. Adam Pompey 4. Rocco Berry 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Marata Niukore 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima

Reserves: 18. Tanner Stowers-Smith 20. Tanah Boyd 21. Samuel Healey 22. Bunty Afoa 23. Taine Tuaupiki

DOLPHINS V RABBITOHS

Saturday, 7:50pm, Suncorp Stadium

Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Junior Tupou 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe

Interchange: 14. Harrison Graham 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Ray Stone 17. Josh Kerr

Reserves: 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Max Feagai 20. Aublix Tawha 21. Tevita Naufahu 22. Peter Hola

Rabbitohs

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Jai Arrow

Interchange: 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Davvy Moale 17. Tevita Tatola

Reserves: 18. Isaiah Tass 19. Liam Le Blanc 20. Jayden Sullivan 21. Ryan Gray 22. Jacob Host

TITANS V COWBOYS

Sunday, 4:05pm, Cbus Super Stadium

Titans

1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Jojo Fifita 4. Phillip Sami 5. Allan Fitzgibbon 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tom Weaver 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asumaleaui

Interchange: 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Mo Fotuaika 16. Klese Haas 17. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui

Reserves: 18. Jaylan De Groot 19. Arama Hau 20. Tuki Simpkins 21. Sean Mullany 22. Brian Kelly

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

Interchange: 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess

Reserves: 18. Tom Duffy 19. Kaiden Lahrs. 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Braidon Burns 23. Marly Bitungane

BRONCOS WARNED OVER HAAS BURN OUT

- Travis Meyn

Broncos coach Michael Maguire has been urged to rest NSW Origin star Payne Haas or risk burning out the NRL’s No. 1 prop in Brisbane’s quest for premiership redemption.

Haas and Maroons rival Pat Carrigan were given a day off on Tuesday as their Broncos teammates hit the training paddock in the lead-up to Saturday’s Suncorp Stadium blockbuster against the Warriors.

Haas and Carrigan have been shouldering heavy loads this season, both playing 16 matches in 16 weeks, including two bruising Origin encounters.

Haas hasn’t missed a game for the Broncos or Blues despite carrying groin, quadriceps and back complaints in recent weeks.

He looked inconvenienced in the first half of Brisbane’s comeback win against Cronulla last Sunday, missing a regulation tackle on Sharks rival Addin Fonua-Blake before leaving the field to have his left thigh strapped.

Haas returned with a big second stint, charging 21 times for 182m, busting nine tackles and making six offloads to inspire the Broncos to back-to-back wins.

But how long he can sustain those types of efforts while nursing a battered body remains to be seen, with Broncos legend Gorden Tallis urging Maguire to tread carefully with his front row weapon.

“If they don’t give Payne Haas and Carrigan a rest they’ll fall off a cliff,” said Fox League commentator Tallis.

“Payne’s played 16 games in a row. Payne was injured. They couldn’t get back onside at some stages and kept running them out.

“If they really want to give the title a shot, which they can … they’re going to have to (rest players).

“Payne Haas is limping, he’s got a back injury and referral pain. Payne isn’t looking (fresh).

“What a game he had backing up, but he isn’t looking like he’s running free.”

Maguire is in a tricky predicament.

The Broncos are sitting fifth on the NRL ladder following a lean two months but are three wins before the fourth-placed Warriors.

They can take another step towards cracking the all-important top four on Saturday but need their best players on deck to find some momentum heading towards the finals.

Haas and Carrigan will join Origin camps on Monday and miss next week’s showdown with the top-placed Bulldogs.

They will most likely want to back-up after the Origin decider (July 9) against the Titans on July 13 before the Broncos enjoy their last bye, which may be their best chance to have a break.

Maguire said he was managing his players’ loads on the training paddock and confirmed a back complaint was causing Haas issues.

“It’s more referred pain from his back, that’s where it tends to come from,” he said.

“That can ricochet down through the legs at times. He’s just got to work through it.

“We do manage him in the background. There’s days where they don’t come to training. You always manage them.

“Plenty of Origin players want to play so you manage their weeks. We tell them to come to captain’s run and just make sure they’re right.

“They’re pretty diligent, Patty and Payno. Payno’s been great for us. They all have with the way they’ve gone about it.”

Carrigan cranked out 16 runs for 136m against the Sharks between lock and the front row, earning a rest on Tuesday.