Reyno’s playing through the pain
ADAM Reynolds has sent a scare through the Broncos with Brisbane’s in-form playmaker to carry a groin injury into Thursday night’s clash against the Knights at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium.
Brisbane’s $2.4m recruit has transformed the 2020 wooden spooners into finals contenders with his sizzling form over the past month and will be a key figure as Brisbane shoots for a fifth straight win in Newcastle.
But Reynolds will be forced to play through the pain barrier, with Broncos coach Kevin Walters revealing his champion No.7 is carrying a fresh injury that saw him placed on restricted duties at Brisbane’s captain’s run.
Reynolds, who carved up Manly in last week’s 38-0 Magic Round mauling, reduced his on-field contribution at Broncos training. Usually one of the last players to leave the paddock in order to practise goalkicking, Reynolds pulled the pin early and headed inside Broncos headquarters for treatment.
The Broncos cannot afford for their talismanic skipper to break down against the Knights and Walters insists Reynolds’ latest setback – he suffered Covid in round 1 – is not serious.
“’Reyno’ has a bit of a leg problem but he assures he will be fine to play,” Walters said.
“Some of the work he has been doing lately has taken a toll. He copped a knock last week in the game and it flared up (on Wednesday) morning, but he assures us he is going to be OK.”
Teenage whizkid Ezra Mam will travel to Newcastle with Brisbane’s 24-man squad and would be one playmaking option if Reynolds is a late scratching.
But the tough-as-nails Reynolds is almost certain to play, as is rejuvenated fullback Te Maire Martin, who trained well at Brisbane’s captain’s run after suffering a hip-flexor injury against the Sea Eagles.
The Broncos are banking on Martin’s steady head and hands at fullback to counter the attacking brilliance of Newcastle counterpart Kalyn Ponga, who is running into form at the perfect time with Queensland’s State of Origin campaign on the horizon.
“Te Maire is good, it looks like he will get through the game OK,” Walters said.
“It’s never great when they don’t train all week. While Te Maire has only had a few games for us, he is a very experienced player so he knows his body as well as anyone.
“He is confident he can get through the game.”
Despite Newcastle languishing in 14th place, Walters is wary of the Knights, who will be buoyed by the club debut of former Broncos sensation Anthony Milford.