Star Broncos duo in doubt for Roosters grudge clash
Broncos coach Kevin Walters has revealed star duo Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo are in danger of missing next week’s grudge match blockbuster against the Sydney Roosters.
Mam (hand) and Cobbo (shoulder) were initially only expected to miss one game after being ruled out of Saturday night’s clash against Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium.
But Walters concedes there is no guarantee Mam and Cobbo will be rushed back, with the backline big guns racing the clock to be fit for Brisbane’s round 9 showdown with arch rivals the Roosters.
Brisbane’s round 1 opener against the Roosters in Las Vegas was marred by the racism scandal involving Mam and Spencer Leniu, whose eight-game ban will see him miss the return bout at Suncorp Stadium next Friday.
Now Mam could also be sidelined, with Walters saying his classy pivot and Queensland Origin hopeful Cobbo could be put on ice until Brisbane’s round 10 clash against the Eels in Sydney on Friday, May 10.
Mam and Cobbo wore red no-contact bibs at Broncos training on Tuesday after picking up injuries in Brisbane’s 34-10 rout of the Canberra Raiders.
Asked when the duo will return, Walters said: “I’m not too sure to be honest.
“They are still pretty sore (on Friday) so I would say they will be doubtful for next week. But that’s OK, we have great depth here and it opens up some opportunities for other players which is exciting.”
The cavalry is returning for the Broncos, with key quartet Payne Haas, Adam Reynolds, Brendan Piakura and Deine Mariner all cleared to face the Tigers after all ran strongly at Brisbane’s captain’s run on Friday.
“It’s good having the four of them back in there,” Walters said.
“But it’s more about what we have been building the last couple of weeks and we need to continue that momentum regardless of who is wearing the jersey.
“It’s important that Payne and Reyno come back into a team that’s doing their job.”