“I think Reece is ready. I actually think Reece’s footy is getting better. I know he was spoken about earlier in the season about where he was at when he first came into rounds one to five, but I think defensively Reece really grew through that period.”
Broncos coach Michael Maguire
Cobbo’s replacement vindicating bold Maguire call
Loading
Eyebrows were raised a month ago when Selwyn Cobbo was axed in favour of the hardly tried and unheralded Josiah Karapani. Three matches later, and Maguire’s bold decision has been vindicated.
A day after it was announced Cobbo had signed with the Dolphins for 2026, Karapani was starring again on Brisbane’s flank, beginning his afternoon with a crunching one-on-one tackling on his own try-line to force Edward Kosi into touch.
Only a few minutes later, he was on the receiving end of a remarkable two-man cutout pass from Ezra Mam to score his fifth try since coming onto the side’s flank.
Fresh off signing a two-year contract extension, where he will now vie with Deine Mariner and the recruited Grant Anderson from 2026 for his place on the wing, Karapani produced two linebreaks and 147 metres to go with his try, to well and truly repay the faith Maguire put in him.
While the Dolphins released Junior Tupou to the Sydney Roosters before the June 30 transfer deadline, Maguire stressed Cobbo would not be moved on early.
“Selwyn’s going to be with us this year. I had a really good conversation with him and he wants to be here and get the opportunity to win a competition at the Broncos. He’s working hard in the background and he’s looking fit so I’m looking forward to, when the time is right, having him back in selection.”
Michael Maguire
Can Brisbane survive final Origin week?
There are few things less surprising than Payne Haas leading his pack from the front.
But for the past two seasons, his influence has left pundits to ponder whether the forwards can survive without him.
Before the clash at Suncorp Stadium, Haas’ front-row partner Corey Jensen said the engine room’s mentality had been to “get off the back of him”.
That is a reality they will not have next week against the Bulldogs when he and Pat Carrigan – who was illustrious with 155 metres and 33 tackles – enter the final Origin camp. However, in Xavier Willison, Brisbane have a man who can keep them afloat.
Origin-bound? Reece Walsh (centre) celebrates his try-assist as Brisbane beat the Warriors.Credit: AAP
The Kiwi prop has slowly built into his season off the bench, and on Saturday produced one of the most emphatic performances of his NRL career – running for 169 metres.
As a whole, the Brisbane pack looked far more threatening – their line speed generating field position and building pressure on the Warriors in defence, beginning with Kotoni Staggs crossing for the opening points.
“It’s going to be a great game next week, obviously the Origin boys won’t be there from both sides, but it’s exciting to get down to Sydney and test ourselves against a red hot team.”
Adam Reynolds on the Bulldogs’ clash
Warriors spine in disarray
Warriors coach Andrew Webster will be holding his breath for the health of arguably his two most influential players, with neither fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad nor halfback Luke Metcalf seeing out the contest.
Nicoll-Klokstad looked in pain for the back-end of the opening half, not returning from the break after hobbling down the tunnel with a knee concern.
Metcalf was forced off with a leg issue with the support of two trainers, with fears of an ACL setback.
Webster will at least have more than capable reinforcements to call on should the duo need time on the sidelines, with Te Maire Martin and Tanah Boyd halves options, while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck looked threatening at times once he shifted to fullback and Taine Tuaupiki is in the wings.
“We’re going to have to get back to New Zealand and find out and get some scans done on him and Charnze and see what the extent of the injuries are. But they certainly won’t be playing in two weeks time. It could be a number of things.”
Andrew Webster on Metcalf and Nicoll-Klokstad
About The Author
