Broncos injury crisis just gets worse
The Broncos have been rocked by an injury crisis, with key back-rower Jordan Riki set to be ruled out of the Dolphins derby and utility Delouise Hoeter facing a season-ending setback.
Coach Kevin Walters has confirmed Riki was at long odds to play in Friday night’s Battle of Brisbane after rolling his ankle at training on Tuesday in another major blow for Brisbane.
Meanwhile, reliable squad member Hoeter has also gone down and could require surgery on a knee injury that may end his season and possibly his career at Red Hill, given that he is off-contract.
The Broncos have already lost Deine Mariner (back), Adam Reynolds (hamstring), Brendan Piakura (ankle) and Payne Haas (knee) for the derby and can illafford to lose Riki, who has been a mainstay of the back row.
Riki plans to have a fitness test at Brisbane’s captain’s run on Thursday, but Walters concedes he doesn’t expect the grand-final back-rower to play and has a contingency plan in place.
“Jordan did his ankle at training. I’d say he is unlikely to play this week,” Walters said.
“Jordan was a bit better in the afternoon (on Tuesday), we’ll run him on Thursday at the captain’s run and see where he is at.
“Jordy is very doubtful. I don’t think he will play, but it’s not my ankle and Jordan seemed a bit more confident in the afternoon, but we have to wait and see how he goes at the captain’s run.
“If he’s not fit enough, we’re not going to risk him.
“It’s just not worth it.”
It is understood Riki’s injury is not serious – he may only miss a week – but his impending scratching will force the Broncos into a major positional reshuffle.
Vice-captain Pat Carrigan could be shifted to the edge, with Kobe Hetherington an option to start at lock in a scenario that could see Martin Taupau or Ben Te Kura promoted to the bench.
The loss of Riki will be a major test of Brisbane’s depth as the Dolphins look to cement their spot on top of the league, but Walters was pragmatic about the Broncos’ injury predicament.
“We’ve got a couple of options to replace Jordan,” Walters said.
“Patty and Fletcher Baker can play on an edge so one of those guys will have to shift over and we’ll bring someone into the middle.
“We have plenty of middles, that’s not the problem.”
Walters, meanwhile, said Hoeter faced an extended stint on the sidelines after suffering a suspected patella injury at the same training session that claimed Riki.