NRL INJURY UPDATE: Kotoni Staggs Out for 4 Weeks, Broncos Depth to be Tested
The Brisbane Broncos have been dealt a significant blow ahead of their upcoming NRL clash, with star centre Kotoni Staggs ruled out for four weeks due to injury.
Staggs, who has been one of the Broncos’ most consistent performers this season, suffered a grade two hamstring strain during last week’s training session.
The injury is a significant setback for the Broncos, who are already struggling to find consistency in their performances this season.
“Kotoni is a key player for us, and his absence will be felt,” Broncos coach Kevin Walters said.
“However, we have a talented squad and we’re confident that our depth will be able to cover his absence.”
The Broncos have a number of options to replace Staggs in the centres, including young guns Tesi Niu and Selwyn Cobbo.
Niu, who has been impressive in his limited appearances for the Broncos this season, is likely to get the nod to start in Staggs’ place.
“Tesi has been doing a great job for us off the bench, and we’re confident that he can make the step up to starting,” Walters said.
Cobbo, who has been playing for the Broncos’ feeder club, the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, is also in contention for a starting spot.
“Selwyn has been doing a great job for Wynnum, and we’re excited to see what he can do at NRL level,” Walters said.
The Broncos will face the Penrith Panthers in their next match, and will be looking to bounce back from last week’s disappointing loss to the Sydney Roosters.
While the loss of Staggs is a significant blow, the Broncos are confident that they have the depth and talent to cover his absence.
“We’re not using Kotoni’s injury as an excuse,” Walters said.
“We’re focused on getting the job done, and we’re confident that we can do that with the team we have.”
The Broncos will be looking to their senior players, including captain Adam Reynolds and prop forward Payne Haas, to lead the team in Staggs’ absence.
Reynolds, who has been one of the Broncos’ most consistent performers this season, said that the team was confident that they could cover Staggs’ absence.
“We’ve got a talented squad, and we’re confident that we can get the job done,” Reynolds said.
Haas, who has been in impressive form this season, said that the team was focused on making a statement against the Panthers.
“We’re not just looking to cover Kotoni’s absence, we’re looking to make a statement,” Haas said.
The Broncos will face the Panthers at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, with kick-off at 7:30pm.
In other injury news, the Broncos’ prop forward Thomas Flegler is expected to return from injury next week, while the club’s hooker Jake Turpin is still several weeks away from returning from a knee injury.
The Broncos will be looking to bounce back from last week’s disappointing loss to the Roosters, and will be desperate to get their season back on track.
With the loss of Staggs, the Broncos will need to dig deep and find a way to win without one of their key players.
But with the talent and depth that they have in their squad, they’re confident that they can get the job done.
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