Brisbane Broncos: Haas, Reynolds and Farnworth join injury list ahead of Storm showdown
Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters says he could have as many as six players missing when they face the Melbourne Storm next week following a bruising encounter against Canberra on Saturday.
The Broncos are flying and picked up their seventh win on the bounce when seeing off the Raiders. However the 24-18 win came at a coast as Adam Reynolds, Herbie Farnworth and Payne Haas all picked up injuries.
Haas had to leave the field in the 28th minute with more shoulder issues. The news will also have New South Wales coach Brad Fittler concerned ahead of game two in State of Origin.
Then in the second half the Broncos also lost skipper Reynolds to a rib injury. English centre Farnworth also suffered a bicep injury. The latter could be out for the season which will also be a blow to his World Cup hopes with England.
Selection headache for Walters
Next up the Broncos face Melbourne Storm in a top-of-the-ladder clash. And Walters has no idea what kind of side he will be able to put out against Craig Bellamy’s men.
“Even in my time playing and when I was on the staff here I can’t remember a team that has had so many injuries, and not just bumps and bruises but actual game ending injuries and possibly weeks, months on the sideline,” he told reporters after the game.
“There are a whole host of guys who are really busted and Canberra played a tough game tonight. They were very physical and we are wearing the consequences of that now.
“We’ll be doing whatever we can to get them on the field but there’s going to be four, five or six missing,”
The Broncos were also missing Origin stars Selwyn Cobbo, Kotoni Staggs and Kurt Capewell. Walters is hopeful of having all three back available to face the Storm. However a number of others are struggling.
Brisbane Broncos injury list builds up
Walters went into depth when asked about who is facing a spell out.
“We have got Payne Haas with an AC problem with his other shoulder,” Walters continued. “Without jumping too far ahead, Herbie had hurt his bicep pretty severely so that is a long-termer for us. Possibly season.
“Cory Paix has a problem with his knee and again I’m not a doctor but its not a one or two-week injury. It’s a longer-term one. Corey Oates is in there with a swollen hand but we can put that over his mouth and that will be good for the week.
“We missed Kotoni through the Origin. Te Maire Martin has got busted ribs in there. He was struggling in the second half. There is a whole host of guys in there that are really busted.”