Burnt-out Cobbo to miss clash with Eels
QUEENSLAND Origin star Selwyn Cobbo is a shock withdrawal for Thursday night’s clash against the Eels after the Broncos whiz-kid revealed he is burnt out on the eve of the finals.
The Broncos’ teetering finals campaign has received a major blow with Cobbo personally pulling out of the Parramatta showdown at Suncorp Stadium after advising coach Kevin Walters he is physically struggling.
The 20-year-old trained with the reserves at Brisbane’s captain’s run and will be replaced on the right wing by Jordan Pereira, who was outstanding in the Broncos’ most recent defeat of the Eels a month ago.
Cobbo has been a revelation for the Broncos this year but the toll of a brutal NRL campaign – his first full season – has pushed the Cherbourg sensation to breaking point.
Walters insists there are no disciplinary issues surrounding Cobbo’s relegation, indicating the Broncos flyer will be given a break this week with a view to being recalled for Brisbane’s final clash of the regular season against the Dragons.
“Selwyn is a bit fatigued,” Walters said.
“It shows a lot of honesty from Selwyn. It’s a big call and the call had to be made.
“He came and saw me earlier in the week. We thought he might progress quicker than he has, but he is not right to go so we will play Jordan Pereira. He has done a good job for us when he has come into the side so he is itching to get out (on the field).
“There is nothing to do with discipline. Selwyn is just a bit tired. He is a young fella, he’s had a big season with Origin and we just feel he needs a break.
“He should be all right for the Dragons next week, but this week we will give him a spell and get him freshened up.”
Cobbo has played 17 NRL games this season and made a stunning debut for Queensland in this year’s Origin series, which ended with a sickening concussion in the Suncorp decider.
Walters said the young gun was not suffering any lingering effects from the heavy head knock.
“He is just generally fatigued,” he said. “Selwyn is a young bloke, he’s had a big season at the Broncos and with Origin, so we’re leaving him out.
“We always have the best interests of the player at heart. He is a young guy, he’s had 20-25 games in the NRL and it’s tough on the wing these days. The wingers get as much punishment as anyone these days.”
In a boost for the Broncos, vice-captain Kurt Capewell passed a fitness test on his ankle and will start in the back row, while Keenan Palasia has been recalled for Ryan James, who is out with a broken finger.
Meanwhile, Zac Hosking will start on the bench in place of Rhys Kennedy as Walters challenged the Broncos to bury their 60-12 debacle against the Storm and seal a finals berth.
“We threw last week’s game in the bin last Saturday morning, that’s where it belonged,” Walters said.