Broncos coach Michael Maguire has been delivered a tough setback after Kotoni Staggs was ruled to be out for up to six weeks with a quad injury as both Payne Haas and Reece Walsh recovered from their minor injuries. The Broncos have proved to be the most impressive team in pre-season having won both their trial games with a close to full-strength Brisbane side dismantling a strong Bulldogs line-up.
Maguire would have been hoping the team got through unscathed as he watched a number of players, including Staggs, Walsh and Haas all end up on the sidelines. And in a huge setback, Staggs will miss between four to six weeks after his squad injury appeared more serious than first thought.
Staggs was the biggest concern for Maguire having left the game after just a few minutes. Footage showed the centre hobbling around the dressing room with a quad injury. And he will certainly missed the first few rounds of the NRL with his quad injury.
Staggs has stood up as a leader during Maguire’s short time as coach and is reportedly close to signing a new deal with the Broncos. Staggs’ absence for round one is a big loss for the Broncos as he tosses up a number of selection calls. This could see Deine Mariner retain his position in the starting 13.
Meanwhile, AAP reported Walsh and Haas are set to be in the starting 13 against the Roosters next Thursday. The club took home the $100,000 prize money for winning the pre-season competition, but the loss of Staggs will be seen as a blow.
Brendan Piakura fighting for Brisbane Broncos start
One of the biggest decisions Maguire is tossing up is on whether to start Brendan Piakura or Jack Gosiewski in the second-row. Piakura was a regular under former coach Kevin Walters in a season the Broncos missed the top eight. However, Maguire is a fan of Gosiewski’s work rate on the edges.
Speaking on the dilemma, Broncos great Corey Parker suggested Maguire was rewarding off-season work ethic to start the season. While Parker suggests Piakura could come into the starting team down the track, Gosiewski has impressed Maguire as the coach sets the standards he wants in training.
“I think, yes Piakura is in a battle with Jack Gosiewski. When Madge Maguire first got to the Broncos he delivered his speech and standards…he wants people that have had a great off-season, who have worked extremely hard, to know they will get the first opportunity,” Parker said on SEN Radio.
“To his word, I think Jack Gosiewski’s has had a terrific off-season and he is getting his opportunity. But I don’t think it will pan out that, as the course of the year goes on.”