By Joel Gould
Brisbane have suffered another injury blow before the NRL Magic Round with fullback Reece Walsh ruled out of their Manly clash with a knee injury.
The Broncos will switch centre Selwyn Cobbo to fullback and give Josiah Karapani his debut in the centres, coach Kevin Walters said a day before Friday night’s showdown. Karapani, 22, has been shining for Burleigh in the Queensland Cup.
Reece Walsh, one of Brisbane’s fan favourites, will not play in Friday night’s Magic Round game against Manly.Credit: NRL Photos
“Walshy has pulled up lame during the week with his knee and is not quite right today so we will leave him out, bring Josiah in at left centre,” Walters said, confirming earlier speculation.
“We picked Josiah up from Souths last year. He started the year a bit slow but has really accelerated his form the last couple of weeks. I like his speed and his whole attitude shift. It is really positive for him.
“I don’t think it will be a long-term thing for Reece. I think a week [out] to get it steady. He is just favouring it, which I picked up this morning.”
The Broncos don’t have the option of playing Tristan Sailor at fullback because he is out for at least a month with an ankle injury.
Cobbo has played fullback before with panache.
“It is nice for him to be interchanged between those positions and he played there before with great success,” Walters said.
“We expect nothing more than his best tomorrow night for us.”
The Broncos are without captain Adam Reynolds for 12 weeks with a ruptured biceps. His absence will give Jock Madden an extended run at No.7.
Manly have their own injury woes due to the hamstring injury to Tom Trbojevic. They will play electric centre Tolutau Koula at fullback.
AAP
