The match against the Sharks serves as a trial for their pursuit of a return to the State of Origin arena, while Selwyn Cobbo’s future with the Broncos seems uncertain. On Wednesday, coach Billy Slater will try to tie the series against NSW; if not, it will be his second consecutive series loss while leading his state.
Slater will be under tremendous pressure to win Game 2 and demonstrate that he can boost his team’s performance, even though his employment for the 2026 series is guaranteed. In the event that there is a possibility of receiving a Queensland recall soon, Walsh, Jesse Arthars, and Brendan Piakura are hoping to make an impression on Slater at club football.
The Broncos have lost six of their last eight games, putting them on a downward trajectory over the past two months. However, Walsh’s comeback in their most recent game undoubtedly helped the Broncos get back on track. In Adam Reynolds’ 300th NRL game, the fullback made a comeback against the Titans and scored two tries to help his team win.
Additionally, Arthars thinks Walsh might be included in an Origin recall. Walsh’s decline in play was accompanied by a knee injury he sustained in round seven against the Warriors.
After playing the last two series under Slater, Walsh was the state’s incumbent fullback. However, after his inconsistent performance in the first seven rounds, he was predicted to lose his spot to Kalyn Ponga. Walsh has returned to the Broncos fullback position looking like a different player, though, suggesting that he has used his time off to reshape his game. Additionally, Arthars stated that Walsh has the work ethic to regain his jersey under Slater, contingent on Queensland’s performance in Game 2 in Perth. “Walshy went through a tough period with his knee, and he’s another player we want to have out there as much as we can,” Arthars stated.
It was good to see him back against the Titans last week since he works just as hard as everyone else at the club. All of them enjoy playing with him because he brought such energy.
After being demoted, Selwyn Cobbo’s Broncos career is in jeopardy. Winger Selwyn Cobbo is in uncertainty at the Broncos, while Walsh is hoping to make a stronger case for an Origin return this weekend. The winger has been playing for Wynnum-Manly since coach Michael Maguire dropped him to the HostPlus Cup two weeks ago. Cobbo’s Broncos future is in doubt since he hasn’t pleased Maguire enough to warrant a recall and was left off the team for the game against the Sharks. Cobbo’s management met with the team last week to talk about his future, according to the Courier Mail.
Cobbo may soon be joining a new team, but Arthars asserted that the winger has handled his dismissal well and is determined to disprove his skeptics. He remarked, “Everyone knows Selly is pretty quiet.” He constantly lends us a hand. He enjoys playing football. He is grinning while he is training. It is a pleasure to have him here. Being with Selly is wonderful. He’s having fun playing football. He has participated in a few Wynnum games and is making every effort to rejoin the team.
There are many surprises in football. Although it’s not ideal to witness someone being dropped, that’s just the way football operates. If the Broncos go on a run, Cobbo might be in for a long stay in the HostPlus Cup, which would be bad for the winger trying to find a new contract when his current one expires at the end of the season.
After the bye round, the Brisbane Broncos were dealt another blow when Michael Maguire was still unable to choose Ben Hunt because the star had a minor setback while recovering. Having only won two of his last eight games as coach, Broncos coach Maguire is under a lot of pressure to get the team back on track. Reece Walsh’s comeback allowed the Broncos to recover against the Titans prior to the bye, allowing the team to recuperate and regroup before round 16. In order for the Broncos to maintain their momentum against the fifth-place team this weekend, Maguire would have hoped that Hunt’s experience would be available for selection.
Since hurting himself in round 10, the veteran has not been included in the starting lineup. Hunt hobbled off the field during the defeat after hurting his hamstring against the Rabbitohs.
Ezra Mam filled in for Hunt when his NRL suspension ended, playing five-eighth. When Hunt returns, the coach is anticipated to start him at number nine, which would mean Billy Walters or Cory Paix would be benched. Throughout his career, Hunt has flourished as a No. 9 in the representative arena, playing some of his greatest football for Queensland during State of Origin. Despite spending much of his NRL career as a halfback, he was always signed with the Broncos with the intention of playing dummy-half with their main playmaker, Adam Reynolds.
