Luai answers Blues' SOS call for State of Origin II
History has repeated itself with NSW forced to call upon a player they had initially dumped as the Blues hunt a series victory in Perth.
Jarome Luai answered coach Laurie Daley's SOS call on Thursday after Moses was rubbed out of game 2 because of a calf strain suffered in camp.
The Wests Tigers co-captain, who had been overlooked for Moses in the game one win, was contacted by Daley and team performance manager Frank Ponissi.
Five-eighth for last year's series win, Luai heeded the call and will reunite with former Penrith teammate Nathan Cleary in the halves for his 11th Origin cap.
"I've done the work, I've been here before. I know what it takes," Luai said on arrival at the team hotel in Leura on Thursday night.
"We've got a good squad so I just need to do my job and give the other boys confidence as well."
It marks the second time in as many series NSW have been forced to lean on a key player they initially rejected, having called fullback James Tedesco in at similarly late notice for last year's series opener.
Tedesco was dropped from the team once Dylan Edwards recovered from injury for Origin II last year.
But Luai said he was not yet considering his selection prospects should Moses be fit in time for Origin III.
"I'm not worried about what's next. I'm worried about the present moment," he said.
"I'm really excited and I'm grateful for the opportunity. I know there were a few options they could've went with but I'll make sure I repay that faith."
The NRL has already granted the Blues an exemption to bring Luai into the team from outside the 20-man squad Daley had named on Tuesday.
Daley defended the Blues' call to pick Luai ahead of Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton, who was already in camp as replacement player.
The coach said the chance to reignite Luai and Cleary's combination, which won four premierships at the Panthers, was too good to refuse.
"Back playing together, there'd be an energy and a synergy there," Daley said.
"(Luai) played there last year, has got a good combination with Nathan and he's that left-side player.
"He'll do a fine job."
Burton's ability to cover the outside backs and halves has made him a favoured choice for NSW's replacement role, which he is filling for the fifth time in eight Origin games.
"(Burton) would be disappointed, you'd want him to be disappointed, but he gives us a bit more versatility in that 18th-man role," Daley said.
"He can play a few more positions. I just think Jarome and Nathan's combination, they've had so much success."
Queensland are wary of the dangers posed by the Cleary-Luai combination, first forged a decade ago in Penrith's junior system.
"They've played all their footy together at the Panthers. When it comes to Origin football they'll be a dangerous threat," said winger Xavier Coates.
Daley was impressed by Luai's attitude after he was overlooked for game one and felt he would respond to the pressures of a last-minute call-up with similar positivity.
"Luai handled it (the initial rejection) with such class and he said if I needed him, he'd be ready to go," Daley said.
"So when I rang him, he said, 'Sweet, I'm ready to go'. That filled me with confidence.
"I don't think anything fazes Jarome. He's always up for a challenge and the bigger the challenge, the better he goes."
History has repeated itself with NSW forced to call upon a player they had initially dumped as the Blues hunt a series victory in Perth.
Jarome Luai answered coach Laurie Daley's SOS call on Thursday after Moses was rubbed out of game 2 because of a calf strain suffered in camp.
The Wests Tigers co-captain, who had been overlooked for Moses in the game one win, was contacted by Daley and team performance manager Frank Ponissi.
Five-eighth for last year's series win, Luai heeded the call and will reunite with former Penrith teammate Nathan Cleary in the halves for his 11th Origin cap.
"I've done the work, I've been here before. I know what it takes," Luai said on arrival at the team hotel in Leura on Thursday night.
"We've got a good squad so I just need to do my job and give the other boys confidence as well."
It marks the second time in as many series NSW have been forced to lean on a key player they initially rejected, having called fullback James Tedesco in at similarly late notice for last year's series opener.
Tedesco was dropped from the team once Dylan Edwards recovered from injury for Origin II last year.
But Luai said he was not yet considering his selection prospects should Moses be fit in time for Origin III.
"I'm not worried about what's next. I'm worried about the present moment," he said.
"I'm really excited and I'm grateful for the opportunity. I know there were a few options they could've went with but I'll make sure I repay that faith."
The NRL has already granted the Blues an exemption to bring Luai into the team from outside the 20-man squad Daley had named on Tuesday.
Daley defended the Blues' call to pick Luai ahead of Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton, who was already in camp as replacement player.
The coach said the chance to reignite Luai and Cleary's combination, which won four premierships at the Panthers, was too good to refuse.
"Back playing together, there'd be an energy and a synergy there," Daley said.
"(Luai) played there last year, has got a good combination with Nathan and he's that left-side player.
"He'll do a fine job."
Burton's ability to cover the outside backs and halves has made him a favoured choice for NSW's replacement role, which he is filling for the fifth time in eight Origin games.
"(Burton) would be disappointed, you'd want him to be disappointed, but he gives us a bit more versatility in that 18th-man role," Daley said.
"He can play a few more positions. I just think Jarome and Nathan's combination, they've had so much success."
Queensland are wary of the dangers posed by the Cleary-Luai combination, first forged a decade ago in Penrith's junior system.
"They've played all their footy together at the Panthers. When it comes to Origin football they'll be a dangerous threat," said winger Xavier Coates.
Daley was impressed by Luai's attitude after he was overlooked for game one and felt he would respond to the pressures of a last-minute call-up with similar positivity.
"Luai handled it (the initial rejection) with such class and he said if I needed him, he'd be ready to go," Daley said.
"So when I rang him, he said, 'Sweet, I'm ready to go'. That filled me with confidence.
"I don't think anything fazes Jarome. He's always up for a challenge and the bigger the challenge, the better he goes."
History has repeated itself with NSW forced to call upon a player they had initially dumped as the Blues hunt a series victory in Perth.
Jarome Luai answered coach Laurie Daley's SOS call on Thursday after Moses was rubbed out of game 2 because of a calf strain suffered in camp.
The Wests Tigers co-captain, who had been overlooked for Moses in the game one win, was contacted by Daley and team performance manager Frank Ponissi.
Five-eighth for last year's series win, Luai heeded the call and will reunite with former Penrith teammate Nathan Cleary in the halves for his 11th Origin cap.
"I've done the work, I've been here before. I know what it takes," Luai said on arrival at the team hotel in Leura on Thursday night.
"We've got a good squad so I just need to do my job and give the other boys confidence as well."
It marks the second time in as many series NSW have been forced to lean on a key player they initially rejected, having called fullback James Tedesco in at similarly late notice for last year's series opener.
Tedesco was dropped from the team once Dylan Edwards recovered from injury for Origin II last year.
But Luai said he was not yet considering his selection prospects should Moses be fit in time for Origin III.
"I'm not worried about what's next. I'm worried about the present moment," he said.
"I'm really excited and I'm grateful for the opportunity. I know there were a few options they could've went with but I'll make sure I repay that faith."
The NRL has already granted the Blues an exemption to bring Luai into the team from outside the 20-man squad Daley had named on Tuesday.
Daley defended the Blues' call to pick Luai ahead of Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton, who was already in camp as replacement player.
The coach said the chance to reignite Luai and Cleary's combination, which won four premierships at the Panthers, was too good to refuse.
"Back playing together, there'd be an energy and a synergy there," Daley said.
"(Luai) played there last year, has got a good combination with Nathan and he's that left-side player.
"He'll do a fine job."
Burton's ability to cover the outside backs and halves has made him a favoured choice for NSW's replacement role, which he is filling for the fifth time in eight Origin games.
"(Burton) would be disappointed, you'd want him to be disappointed, but he gives us a bit more versatility in that 18th-man role," Daley said.
"He can play a few more positions. I just think Jarome and Nathan's combination, they've had so much success."
Queensland are wary of the dangers posed by the Cleary-Luai combination, first forged a decade ago in Penrith's junior system.
"They've played all their footy together at the Panthers. When it comes to Origin football they'll be a dangerous threat," said winger Xavier Coates.
Daley was impressed by Luai's attitude after he was overlooked for game one and felt he would respond to the pressures of a last-minute call-up with similar positivity.
"Luai handled it (the initial rejection) with such class and he said if I needed him, he'd be ready to go," Daley said.
"So when I rang him, he said, 'Sweet, I'm ready to go'. That filled me with confidence.
"I don't think anything fazes Jarome. He's always up for a challenge and the bigger the challenge, the better he goes."
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News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Wagga preview: Trainer Bruce Cross and owner Malcolm Chung eye more success with Just Like Tilda
Trainer Bruce Cross and owner/breeder Malcolm Chung are best known via the deeds of the sensational siblings, Epsom winner Final Fantasy and Canberra Cup winner Padfoot Charlie. Now, a quarter of a century on, the pair may have themselves another 'good horse' from the very same 'vines' that produced their former dynamic duo. Her name is Just Like Tilda. The daughter of Divine Prophet created a lasting impression when finishing over the top of her rivals to score an impressive, bookie-busting, debut win at Kembla earlier this month when crunched from an opening quote of $6.50 into $4.80. Cross could be forgiven for talking up Just Like Tilda on the score of her debut but is playing down any hype. 'At the moment, I am holding my powder dry,' Cross said. The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! 'Her win at Kembla was a good win and I think she has improved a little bit, but I'm just not prepared to put my head on the block yet. 'Sometimes you can put the cart before the horse and you get too excited. 'That's why we are prepared to take a bit of time with her and give her all the chances she deserves.' Cross revealed that he had toyed with the idea of a metropolitan start for Just Like Tilda, instead opting for a trip away down to Wagga. 'I thought about it but I was a little bit too scared that she would just get up in the benchmark system too quick,' Cross explained. 'I'm interested to see what she can do on Sunday and looking forward to it to be honest. 'We are going there with our glass half-full. Whatever happens, the trip away, the floating, that all improves a horse and it sort of adds another string to their bow. 'She is a very sensible little filly, we are going there hoping, we just have to wait for the outcome.' Just Like Tilda will be ridden the Easdown's Accountants Class 1 Handicap (1300m) by Deanne Panya; gun jockey and twin sister of Beany, both of whom spend their mornings at Cross' home ground, Warwick Farm. 'Deanne and Beany are just super young ladies,' Cross said. 'They go out of their way to help you. 'Deanne knows Just Like Tilda pretty well. She's ridden her in a bit of a work and in the trial. 'And to be honest, Deanne might have very well been on her when she won at Kembla except she was suspended. 'Deanne rode a winner (on Thursday) at Gosford, she is very underrated.' Just Like Tilda is the third foal of her dam Matilda Jade whose foaling date (September 14 in 2011) was the exact same day as Winx. Matilda Jade was bred and raced by Chung and trained by Cross but sadly, the daughter of I Am Invincible only raced once, finishing runner-up at Gundagai. 'We took her there thinking she would win easily but she got galloped on and severed a tendon so that was the only start she ever had,' Cross said. SHAYNE O'CASS' TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 7 No. 1: JUST LIKE TILDA Created a big impression when winning at Kembla on debut. NEXT BEST Race 6 No. 3: CONDOR Won three of four and runner-up at the other this preparation. Easy to like. VALUE BET Race 5 No. 4: STAY TUNED Boast some compelling provincial form. Fit and stays all day. QUADDIE Race 4: 1, 2, 3 Race 5: 4, 6 Race 6: 3 Race 7: 1 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW BLAIKE MCDOUGALL will have plenty of admirers to win the TAB Jockeys Challenge. HARDLY FORTUNATE (7), an All Too Hard direct descendant of broodmare gem Extradite, was $9 out to $12 when she debuted at Wagga. Smashing run it was too, she drew 9 of 11, was ninth at the turn and got to within inches of the winner. That was 1000m, this is 1200m now. AL FLORES (5), the first foal of Coolmore Classic winning Dixie Blossoms, has had many chances. Many of us are still licking the wounds from her $1.55 loss at Goulburn the other day. Can atone but needs to win back a few fans. Bet: Hardly Fortunate each-way, quinella 5, 7, box trifecta 2, 5, 7, 12 â– â– â– â– â– BADHATHARRY (2) is a rarity, maybe a one of a kind in present day times given he is out a mare by Harry Lawton's beloved Bureaucracy who won the George Ryder way back in 1991. He's also the damsire of Silent Witness. As for Badhatharry, he has had a textbook build-up to 1400m which he is crying out for. Michael Travers has three accepted here and all three could easily medal. MISS PEPEHA (10) is getting closer than ever to a win. His other one Stormy Malice wants 1400m. Bet: Badhatharry to win â– â– â– â– â– DOC MARCH (11) has been very costly indeed at his last three starts, one at Canberra and two here at home at Wagga. 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He's got a good set of numbers across the board and as for each-way punters are concerned; he has won and placed at 34 of his 65 starts. Bet: Condor to win, exacta 3 to beat 5 â– â– â– â– â– JUST LIKE TILDA (1) was just so impressive winning on debut at Kembla when $6.50 into $4.40. Won with a lot of authority on the day demonstrating a high degree of race-smarts and quality. Deanne Panya knows her well, so does the trainer of course and he's set her a task that while not a total slam dunk, looks pretty close to it. Bet: Just like Tilda to win, exacta 1 to beat 5. WAGGA BEST BET Race 7 No. 1: Just Like Tilda Created a big impression when winning at Kembla on debut. NEXT BEST Race 6 No. 3: Condor Won 3 of 4 and runner-up at the other this preparation. Easy to like. VALUE Race 5 No. 4: Stay Tuned Boast some compelling provincial form. Fit and stays all day. QUADDIE Race 4: 1,2,3 Race 5: 4,6 Race 6: 3 Race 7: 1
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Blue season takes another bad turn as Roos rise at MCG
The Michael Voss era is in major trouble after Carlton conceded eight straight goals against North Melbourne to be stunned by 11 points in an MCG boilover. Just 64 days after smashing North by 82 points on Good Friday, the Blues went goal-less from midway through the first quarter until 10 minutes into the third term. During that period, the Kangaroos produced some of their best football in Alastair Clarkson's three-year tenure to set up the 13.6 (84) to 10.13 (73) victory in front of 56,236 fans. Voss gave a stern three-quarter-time address to his under-performing midfield group when they trailed by 46 points. The spray from the coach worked as the Blues kicked 5.5 to 0.0 in the final quarter, but it was too late for Carlton. Despite having only beaten lowly Richmond, West Coast and Melbourne this season, North have been threatening to claim a bigger scalp for weeks. Trailing by nine points at quarter-time, the Kangaroos surged in the second term with 6.2 to 0.1, prompting sections of the pro-Carlton crowd to boo their team off at halftime. The wheels completely came off when Carlton gave away a free kick straight after Cam Zurhaar's third goal, allowing ruckman Tristan Xerri to put the Kangaroos 40 points up early in the third quarter. The Blues showed more spirit for the rest of the game, but the damage had already been done. Finalists in the past two seasons, Carlton slumped to 6-8 and will sit two games outside of the top eight by the end of the round. The Blues comfortably won the inside-50 count, but their ball use let them down all day. The unexpected result will turn up the heat on coach Voss, who has been under pressure since Carlton's calamitous round-one loss against wooden spooners Richmond. North had matchwinners across the ground, led by Tom Powell, Luke Parker and Luke Davies-Uniacke out of the middle. Dashing left-footer Colby McKercher produced arguably the best game of his young career with two goals and 29 possessions. The only positive for Carlton was that star defender Jacob Weitering avoided being added to a lengthy injury list. Weitering appeared to have suffered a serious ankle injury when he landed awkwardly after jumping over Zurhaar in the first quarter. The reigning All-Australian fullback was assisted from the field in agony, but returned 15 minutes later for the start of the second term. Carlton are already without star forward Harry McKay and important midfielder Sam Walsh for at least another month. Fellow key forward Charlie Curnow was in doubt for the game with calf tightness, but managed to ride his push bike to the MCG to prove his fitness. However, the dual Coleman Medallist had a dirty day, failing to kick a goal. Lockdown defender Nic Newman and highly rated teenager Jagga Smith have already been ruled out for the season. Carlton's season will be virtually dead and buried if they can't beat Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night. North head to Launceston next Saturday to clash with Hawthorn. The Michael Voss era is in major trouble after Carlton conceded eight straight goals against North Melbourne to be stunned by 11 points in an MCG boilover. Just 64 days after smashing North by 82 points on Good Friday, the Blues went goal-less from midway through the first quarter until 10 minutes into the third term. During that period, the Kangaroos produced some of their best football in Alastair Clarkson's three-year tenure to set up the 13.6 (84) to 10.13 (73) victory in front of 56,236 fans. Voss gave a stern three-quarter-time address to his under-performing midfield group when they trailed by 46 points. The spray from the coach worked as the Blues kicked 5.5 to 0.0 in the final quarter, but it was too late for Carlton. Despite having only beaten lowly Richmond, West Coast and Melbourne this season, North have been threatening to claim a bigger scalp for weeks. Trailing by nine points at quarter-time, the Kangaroos surged in the second term with 6.2 to 0.1, prompting sections of the pro-Carlton crowd to boo their team off at halftime. The wheels completely came off when Carlton gave away a free kick straight after Cam Zurhaar's third goal, allowing ruckman Tristan Xerri to put the Kangaroos 40 points up early in the third quarter. The Blues showed more spirit for the rest of the game, but the damage had already been done. Finalists in the past two seasons, Carlton slumped to 6-8 and will sit two games outside of the top eight by the end of the round. The Blues comfortably won the inside-50 count, but their ball use let them down all day. The unexpected result will turn up the heat on coach Voss, who has been under pressure since Carlton's calamitous round-one loss against wooden spooners Richmond. North had matchwinners across the ground, led by Tom Powell, Luke Parker and Luke Davies-Uniacke out of the middle. Dashing left-footer Colby McKercher produced arguably the best game of his young career with two goals and 29 possessions. The only positive for Carlton was that star defender Jacob Weitering avoided being added to a lengthy injury list. Weitering appeared to have suffered a serious ankle injury when he landed awkwardly after jumping over Zurhaar in the first quarter. The reigning All-Australian fullback was assisted from the field in agony, but returned 15 minutes later for the start of the second term. Carlton are already without star forward Harry McKay and important midfielder Sam Walsh for at least another month. Fellow key forward Charlie Curnow was in doubt for the game with calf tightness, but managed to ride his push bike to the MCG to prove his fitness. However, the dual Coleman Medallist had a dirty day, failing to kick a goal. Lockdown defender Nic Newman and highly rated teenager Jagga Smith have already been ruled out for the season. Carlton's season will be virtually dead and buried if they can't beat Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night. North head to Launceston next Saturday to clash with Hawthorn. The Michael Voss era is in major trouble after Carlton conceded eight straight goals against North Melbourne to be stunned by 11 points in an MCG boilover. Just 64 days after smashing North by 82 points on Good Friday, the Blues went goal-less from midway through the first quarter until 10 minutes into the third term. During that period, the Kangaroos produced some of their best football in Alastair Clarkson's three-year tenure to set up the 13.6 (84) to 10.13 (73) victory in front of 56,236 fans. Voss gave a stern three-quarter-time address to his under-performing midfield group when they trailed by 46 points. The spray from the coach worked as the Blues kicked 5.5 to 0.0 in the final quarter, but it was too late for Carlton. Despite having only beaten lowly Richmond, West Coast and Melbourne this season, North have been threatening to claim a bigger scalp for weeks. Trailing by nine points at quarter-time, the Kangaroos surged in the second term with 6.2 to 0.1, prompting sections of the pro-Carlton crowd to boo their team off at halftime. The wheels completely came off when Carlton gave away a free kick straight after Cam Zurhaar's third goal, allowing ruckman Tristan Xerri to put the Kangaroos 40 points up early in the third quarter. The Blues showed more spirit for the rest of the game, but the damage had already been done. Finalists in the past two seasons, Carlton slumped to 6-8 and will sit two games outside of the top eight by the end of the round. The Blues comfortably won the inside-50 count, but their ball use let them down all day. The unexpected result will turn up the heat on coach Voss, who has been under pressure since Carlton's calamitous round-one loss against wooden spooners Richmond. North had matchwinners across the ground, led by Tom Powell, Luke Parker and Luke Davies-Uniacke out of the middle. Dashing left-footer Colby McKercher produced arguably the best game of his young career with two goals and 29 possessions. The only positive for Carlton was that star defender Jacob Weitering avoided being added to a lengthy injury list. Weitering appeared to have suffered a serious ankle injury when he landed awkwardly after jumping over Zurhaar in the first quarter. The reigning All-Australian fullback was assisted from the field in agony, but returned 15 minutes later for the start of the second term. Carlton are already without star forward Harry McKay and important midfielder Sam Walsh for at least another month. Fellow key forward Charlie Curnow was in doubt for the game with calf tightness, but managed to ride his push bike to the MCG to prove his fitness. However, the dual Coleman Medallist had a dirty day, failing to kick a goal. Lockdown defender Nic Newman and highly rated teenager Jagga Smith have already been ruled out for the season. Carlton's season will be virtually dead and buried if they can't beat Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night. North head to Launceston next Saturday to clash with Hawthorn.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Star prop fit, Broncos coach savours big incoming boost
Brisbane welcome back their two best forwards from State of Origin and have other reasons to believe in a mid-season resurgence. Any doubts over the availability of NSW prop Payne Haas, who played with a niggle in Perth, were dispelled by coach Michael Maguire ahead of Sunday's home clash against fifth-placed Cronulla with the club insisting he had nothing more than a "tight hip". Haas and benched Queensland star Pat Carrigan sailed through Saturday's final training session and will face the Sharks. The Broncos' spine is also taking shape as the one Maguire wanted at the start of the season, with five-eighth Ezra Mam and fullback Reece Walsh playing their first game together this year in a 44-14 win over Gold Coast before last week's bye. Veteran Ben Hunt's return from a hamstring injury is also imminent and he will slot in at No.9 or No.14 to add more smarts to the spine. The inclusion of Haas is a major lift for the seventh-positioned Broncos. "He was a bit tight, but he is fine. He's got nothing wrong with him," Maguire said."(Haas and Carrigan) are very passionate about what they do here as well, so it's nice to see them come back and get into all the recovery mechanisms they have now. "They are ready to go, they are two machines." Walsh and Mam were lethal in the lead-up to the 2023 grand final and Maguire is heartened by what they can achieve with captain Adam Reynolds. "It was the first time for quite some time where I've actually had Reecey and Ez play together," Maguire said. "You see Reece come in and every time the ball has been moved, you see Reece and Ezra together and then Reyno is the orchestrator of what's going add a lot to the team. "Hunty is doing well (with his recovery). We have just got to make sure the old boy is one hundred per cent ready. "That brings another dynamic. "Any time I have seen success within an organisation is when you have got internal ... pressure on to make sure you work hard every day." Hunt is aiming to be fit for either the round-17 clash with the Warriors or the following week away against Canterbury. Representative centre Selwyn Cobbo will play for Wynnum Manly in the Queensland Cup, keeping pressure on all outside backs to perform. Cobbo is off-contract and at long odds to remain a Bronco in 2026 unless he is prepared to take a pay cut. "Selwyn is aware what he needs to do at this present moment and that is the most important thing for him. Contract talks always sort themselves out by what you can do on the field, so he's focused on that," Maguire said. "With the salary cap and trying to fit things in, I have inherited where things are at at the moment. "So you've got to work your way through it and I know the organisation is doing that. "(Josiah) Karapani has done a good job for us last week (on the wing) so he gets another opportunity. When you have someone like Selly sitting in the wings it keeps the focus pretty strong." Brisbane welcome back their two best forwards from State of Origin and have other reasons to believe in a mid-season resurgence. Any doubts over the availability of NSW prop Payne Haas, who played with a niggle in Perth, were dispelled by coach Michael Maguire ahead of Sunday's home clash against fifth-placed Cronulla with the club insisting he had nothing more than a "tight hip". Haas and benched Queensland star Pat Carrigan sailed through Saturday's final training session and will face the Sharks. The Broncos' spine is also taking shape as the one Maguire wanted at the start of the season, with five-eighth Ezra Mam and fullback Reece Walsh playing their first game together this year in a 44-14 win over Gold Coast before last week's bye. Veteran Ben Hunt's return from a hamstring injury is also imminent and he will slot in at No.9 or No.14 to add more smarts to the spine. The inclusion of Haas is a major lift for the seventh-positioned Broncos. "He was a bit tight, but he is fine. He's got nothing wrong with him," Maguire said."(Haas and Carrigan) are very passionate about what they do here as well, so it's nice to see them come back and get into all the recovery mechanisms they have now. "They are ready to go, they are two machines." Walsh and Mam were lethal in the lead-up to the 2023 grand final and Maguire is heartened by what they can achieve with captain Adam Reynolds. "It was the first time for quite some time where I've actually had Reecey and Ez play together," Maguire said. "You see Reece come in and every time the ball has been moved, you see Reece and Ezra together and then Reyno is the orchestrator of what's going add a lot to the team. "Hunty is doing well (with his recovery). We have just got to make sure the old boy is one hundred per cent ready. "That brings another dynamic. "Any time I have seen success within an organisation is when you have got internal ... pressure on to make sure you work hard every day." Hunt is aiming to be fit for either the round-17 clash with the Warriors or the following week away against Canterbury. Representative centre Selwyn Cobbo will play for Wynnum Manly in the Queensland Cup, keeping pressure on all outside backs to perform. Cobbo is off-contract and at long odds to remain a Bronco in 2026 unless he is prepared to take a pay cut. "Selwyn is aware what he needs to do at this present moment and that is the most important thing for him. Contract talks always sort themselves out by what you can do on the field, so he's focused on that," Maguire said. "With the salary cap and trying to fit things in, I have inherited where things are at at the moment. "So you've got to work your way through it and I know the organisation is doing that. "(Josiah) Karapani has done a good job for us last week (on the wing) so he gets another opportunity. When you have someone like Selly sitting in the wings it keeps the focus pretty strong." Brisbane welcome back their two best forwards from State of Origin and have other reasons to believe in a mid-season resurgence. Any doubts over the availability of NSW prop Payne Haas, who played with a niggle in Perth, were dispelled by coach Michael Maguire ahead of Sunday's home clash against fifth-placed Cronulla with the club insisting he had nothing more than a "tight hip". Haas and benched Queensland star Pat Carrigan sailed through Saturday's final training session and will face the Sharks. The Broncos' spine is also taking shape as the one Maguire wanted at the start of the season, with five-eighth Ezra Mam and fullback Reece Walsh playing their first game together this year in a 44-14 win over Gold Coast before last week's bye. Veteran Ben Hunt's return from a hamstring injury is also imminent and he will slot in at No.9 or No.14 to add more smarts to the spine. The inclusion of Haas is a major lift for the seventh-positioned Broncos. "He was a bit tight, but he is fine. He's got nothing wrong with him," Maguire said."(Haas and Carrigan) are very passionate about what they do here as well, so it's nice to see them come back and get into all the recovery mechanisms they have now. "They are ready to go, they are two machines." Walsh and Mam were lethal in the lead-up to the 2023 grand final and Maguire is heartened by what they can achieve with captain Adam Reynolds. "It was the first time for quite some time where I've actually had Reecey and Ez play together," Maguire said. "You see Reece come in and every time the ball has been moved, you see Reece and Ezra together and then Reyno is the orchestrator of what's going add a lot to the team. "Hunty is doing well (with his recovery). We have just got to make sure the old boy is one hundred per cent ready. "That brings another dynamic. "Any time I have seen success within an organisation is when you have got internal ... pressure on to make sure you work hard every day." Hunt is aiming to be fit for either the round-17 clash with the Warriors or the following week away against Canterbury. Representative centre Selwyn Cobbo will play for Wynnum Manly in the Queensland Cup, keeping pressure on all outside backs to perform. Cobbo is off-contract and at long odds to remain a Bronco in 2026 unless he is prepared to take a pay cut. "Selwyn is aware what he needs to do at this present moment and that is the most important thing for him. Contract talks always sort themselves out by what you can do on the field, so he's focused on that," Maguire said. "With the salary cap and trying to fit things in, I have inherited where things are at at the moment. "So you've got to work your way through it and I know the organisation is doing that. "(Josiah) Karapani has done a good job for us last week (on the wing) so he gets another opportunity. When you have someone like Selly sitting in the wings it keeps the focus pretty strong."
