Broncos face showpiece Magic Round without their showpiece player – knee keeps Reece out
Brisbane have suffered another injury blow with fullback Reece Walsh ruled out of their Manly clash with a knee injury
Selwyn Cobbo (left) of the Broncos celebrates scoring a try with Reece Walsh (right) during the NRL Round 10 match between the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Friday, May 5, 2023. (AAP Image/Darren England) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY
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The Broncos will switch centre Selwyn Cobbo to No.1 and give Josiah Karapani his NRL debut in the centres, coach Kevin Walters said ahead of Friday night’s Magic Round showdown. Karapani, 22, has been shining for Burleigh in the Queensland Cup.
“Walshy has pulled up lame during the week with his knee and is not quite right today so we will leave him out bring Josiah in at left centre,” Walters said on Thursday.
“We picked Josiah up from Souths last year. He started the year a bit slow but has really accelerated his form the last couple of weeks. I like his speed and his whole attitude shift. It is really positive for him.
“I don’t think it will be a long-term thing for Reece. I think a week (out) to get it steady. He is just favouring it, which I picked up this morning.”
Brisbane don’t have the option of playing Tristan Sailor at fullback because he is out for at least a month with an ankle injury.
Cobbo has played fullback before with panache.
“It is nice for him to be interchanged between those positions and he played their before with great success,” Walters said.
“We expect nothing more than his best tomorrow night for us.”
The Broncos are already without captain Adam Reynolds for 12 weeks with a ruptured biceps. His absence will give Jock Madden an extended run at No.7.
Manly have their own injury woes due to the hamstring injury to Tom Trbojevic.
They will play electric centre Tolutau Koula at fullback.
