NRL 2024: Brisbane Broncos captain Adam Reynolds rubbishes suggestions he is an injury risk

Adam Reynolds insists he isn’t an injury risk for the Broncos despite returning from biceps surgery three weeks early, welcoming the challenge of going up against Bulldogs forward Viliame Kikau in defence this week.

Travis Meyn

@travismeyn

3 min read

July 24, 2024 - 4:00PM

News Sport Network

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 20: Adam Reynolds of the Broncos with the ball during the round 20 NRL match between Newcastle Knights and Brisbane Broncos at McDonald Jones Stadium, on July 20, 2024, in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)

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Broncos captain Adam Reynolds has hit back at suggestions he is an injury risk and welcomed a showdown with giant Bulldogs forward Viliame Kikau.

Reynolds made a triumphant return from biceps surgery last Saturday, helping the Broncos snap a six-game losing streak with a crucial win against the Knights in Newcastle.

The crafty halfback returned from injury about three weeks earlier than expected, having watched the Broncos crumble in his absence.

Reynolds passed vigorous wrestling and fitness tests to prove his arm was ready for the brutal NRL and emerged unscathed from the Knights clash.

Now he will lead the Broncos into Saturday’s crucial match against Canterbury at Suncorp Stadium, where he is expected to be targeted by 195cm, 116kg giant Kikau.

Reynolds, 34, slammed media reports suggesting he wouldn’t play again in 2024 and said he was ready for any challenge thrown his way.

Adam Reynolds at Broncos training on Wednesday. Picture: John Gass

“I have probably proved a few people wrong and some journos,” he said.

“It is the same every week. It doesn’t matter if you are injured or not injured, halves are always a target.

“If I wasn’t up for it I wouldn’t play. If I am out there on the weekend it means I am up for it.

“I pulled up well. Obviously first game back there was going to be a bit of rust there but it felt good and I was confident going into the game.

“There was no more risk than in two or three weeks’ time. Carrying an existing injury into a game, there is always going to be a risk. Ninety nine per cent of players play with risk every week and I am no different.

Adam Reynolds welcomes the challenge of going up against Viliame Kikau. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“I was fully confident going out and doing my job for the team. The coaches and players have trust in me. My job is to go out and play footy and direct the team around the park.

“I’d like to think I am pretty good at that and if I can help the team, firstly I have to be fit enough to go out there and do my job and secondly they have to have the trust in me. I wouldn’t be out there if I didn’t think I could.”

The Broncos looked a different team with Reynolds back at the helm.

The return of Origin stars Payne Haas, Reece Walsh and Pat Carrigan also helped while Selwyn Cobbo will come back on to the wing for the Bulldogs game.

The Broncos are facing the prospect of having to win about five of their remaining six games to qualify for the finals, but Reynolds said they were capable of mounting a late charge.

“I love this team and know what it is capable of,” he said.

“We have seen evidence this year and last year. The attitude doesn’t change. We have to turn up and put in the hard work at training and those things sort themselves out.

“We have a chance to do something. We can’t take this position for granted. We have to work hard at training, believe in our structures and deliver on game day.

“We can’t get ahead of ourselves. We don’t have that luxury. You simply have to win games in the NRL to be in finals so it is no different to any other position we might find ourselves.

“Fate is in our hands. We need to make sure we prepare well and get our game plan in order and turn up with the right attitude.”

Haas didn’t train with the team on Wednesday after being given a leave pass by coach Kevin Walters following a taxing Origin period, but the club insisted he would take the field against Canterbury.