NRL round nine: Sydney Roosters defeat Brisbane Broncos 40-18, Adam Reynolds suffers suspected ruptured biceps

Kevin Walters has admitted Broncos captain Adam Reynolds’ season could be over after suffering a horror arm injury against the Roosters.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Adam Reynolds of the Broncos is injured during the round nine NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium, on May 03, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Broncos coach Kevin Walters admits Adam Reynolds’ season could be over after the champion skipper suffered a ruptured biceps in Friday night’s dismal loss to the Roosters.

It was a night of a disaster for the Broncos, whose 40-18 capitulation to the Roosters was compounded by the loss of Reynolds and winger Jesse Arthars (broken jaw).

Reynolds will undergo surgery on Saturday and Brisbane’s chief commander is expected to miss at least three months, but Walters concedes there is a possibility the 33-year-old may not return this season.

The premiership playmaker will be sidelined until at least round 21 and Walters will be hoping Reynolds returns before the finals to energise the Broncos for a title tilt - if they can stay in the premiership race.

Broncos confirm a ruptured biceps tendon (near elbow) for Adam Reynolds.

Causes significant loss of function - 30-50% decrease in twisting/bending strength at the elbow. Surgery required to repair & restore this function with usual recovery time of 12 weeks. pic.twitter.com/GKsJww4Qhw

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 3, 2024

“It’s not looking too good, he has a torn bicep,” Walters said.

“He will have to have surgery and he will be out for an extended period I would say.

“It’s potentially season-ending, but we won’t know until he has the surgery.”

Back-up playmaker Jock Madden will be entrusted with keeping Brisbane’s season alive during the State of Origin grind, but even he has his own injury conundrum.

The 24-year-old suffered a pec strain the previous week against the Wests Tigers and will be racing the clock for next Friday night’s clash against the Eels in Sydney.

Should Madden be unavailable for selection, Walters could call on Mr Fixit Tristan Sailor, but the Broncos coach is confident the 24-year-old former Wests Tigers shot-caller can fill the Reynolds void.

Adam Reynolds leaves the field with a suspected ruptured biceps. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“We will talk to the doctor, but Jock Madden could be right for next week,” Walters said.

“We get a good chance to have a look at Jock over the next 12 to 14 weeks.

“I’m not too concerned (with the injuries), we have good depth, but I’m more concerned with how we played.”

Walters lamented the Broncos’ inability to build pressure with a host of unforced errors helping the Roosters establish midfield dominance before ripping Brisbane apart on the edges.

“There’s some parts of our game I haven’t been happy with. We have got plenty to work on,” Walters said.

“The ownership has to be spread across the group.”

Vice-captain Pat Carrigan added: “There’s a good team here, but we will find out what we are made of over the next few weeks.”

BRONCOS VS ROOSTERS MATCH REPORT

Brisbane’s season is in disarray after skipper Adam Reynolds (biceps) and teammate Jesse Arthars (broken jaw) suffered serious injuries in the Broncos’ crushing 40-18 loss to the Roosters on Friday night.

On a night of drama before 40,190 at Suncorp Stadium, the battered Broncos were rocked by the loss of their chief commander Reynolds, who faces three months on the sidelines with a ruptured biceps.

Reynolds left the field with his left arm limp after tackling Fetalaiga Pauga in the 45th minute, compounding Brisbane’s pain after Arthurs broke his jaw in the 19th minute colliding with Roosters flyer Dom Young.

In the absence of Reynolds and Arthars, Brisbane battled bravely, with Kotoni Staggs (47th) and Ezra Mam (49th) crossing two minutes apart to give the hosts hope at 18-all.

But the Roosters were always going to finish stronger as James Tedesco and two-try Angus Crichton ran riot, the visitors scoring four tries in a 14-minute blitz to snap the Broncos’ three-match winning streak.

A sight no Broncos fan wants to see. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

SKIPPER’S SHOCK

With State of Origin I just a month away, the Broncos cannot afford to lose their big guns, making Reynolds’ injury even more significant.

The champion halfback has battled knee and hamstring injuries this season and this latest blow could see Reynolds sidelined until round 21, a scenario that will seriously test Brisbane’s depth.

The Broncos only just welcomed back Payne Haas, Deine Mariner and Brendan Piakura from injury and now back-up playmaker Jock Madden must step up for Reynolds to keep Brisbane’s season on track.

Meanwhile, veteran Corey Oates is set to answer a wing SOS for Arthars, who faces six weeks out after he left the field with blood pouring from his mouth.

Reece Walsh didn’t have his best showing. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

WOBBLY WALSH

Reece Walsh is untouchable at his best but the Broncos sensation had a frustrating night at the office.

The flying fullback was guilty of doing too much too quickly in the opening stanza. His decision-making smacked of a racing mind. He committed two crucial errors in the first half, including a 36th-minute fumble which allowed Joseph Suaalii to release Crichton for his second try and a handy 18-6 halftime lead.

While Walsh fumbled and bumbled, champion Roosters rival Tedesco was masterful, charging for 203 metres and nailing Brisbane’s coffin shut with two try assists in the final quarter.

Payne Haas didn’t have his most impactful showing. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

PAYNE-FUL STUFF

The performance of Brisbane’s No. 1 prop Haas personified a Broncos forward pack that was beaten up in midfield.

Brisbane should have had the edge in the middle third. The Roosters went into the clash without key enforcers Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Victor Radley but the Broncos lacked energy, cohesion and intensity as a pumped-up Crichton led the Tri-Colours’ charge.

Haas suffered swelling to his recently-operated right knee on match eve and the NSW Origin enforcer looked below his best, managing 118m and dropping the ball cold in the 25th minute.

Lindsay Collins’ (147m) brutal dominance laid the platform for Roosters cohort Crichton, who ripped Brisbane apart on the edges to charge into NSW Origin contention.

WALKER’S ON

Roosters whiz-kid Sam Walker is the Suncorp specialist. The former Broncos Academy playmaker has the wood on his former club at the home of Queensland rugby league.

Walker has won five of six games against the Broncos and extended his winning streak at Suncorp to 995 days, clinically steering the Roosters home to rub salt into the wounds of halfback opposite Reynolds.

Originally published as NRL round nine: Sydney Roosters defeat Brisbane Broncos 40-18, Adam Reynolds suffers suspected ruptured biceps