NRL trials, Brisbane Broncos, team 2022, round 1, adam reynolds, five-eighth, Billy Walters, Albert Kelly, Tyson Gamble
Brisbane coach Kevin Walters hoped to have a glaring question answered during last night’s trial game against Gold Coast.
Instead the 26-26 draw against their southern Queensland rival may have just created more headaches for the desperate Broncos.
Brisbane fans – and, presumably, coach Walters too – are still none the wiser as to who will wear the club’s famous No.6 jumper this year.
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Marquee recruit Adam Reynolds – who has joined Nine’s NRL coverage this year – will take charge of the team from halfback, but even he is in the dark over who will partner him in the spine.
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Billy Walters, Albert Kelly, and Tyson Gamble all had a run in the halves on Saturday, and Walters was clearly the best of the three.
Walters – the coach’s son – arrived at Red Hill during the off-season and is hoping to oust Kelly and Gamble from the team.
“We’re still unsure (who the five-eighth will be),” Reynolds told Nine’s Today this morning.
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“Obviously the fellas had a hitout last night, there were some good signs from all of them.
“Billy Walters was probably the pick of the bunch last night, but in saying that, Tyson and Albie (Kelly) obviously finished last year off there.
“There’s still another trial to go. There’s a bit of work to do before Round 1, but who knows, one of them might jump out of their skin between now and then.”
Brisbane is in the midst of its worst period since the club’s inception in 1988.
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In 2020 the Broncos claimed their first ever wooden spoon, and they’ve missed the NRL finals for two consecutive years for the first time ever.
The addition of Reynolds is sure to help their fortunes in 2022, but the team will continue to struggle if Walters can’t settle on a five-eighth before the season kicks off.
“Who partners Adam Reynolds is the biggest story around Brisbane at the moment,” Michael Ennis said on Fox League after Saturday’s trial.
“They have got some wonderful outside backs. They have got great forwards. But who partners Adam Reynolds? It is vital for Brisbane’s success this year.
“I think it is concerning that so close to the season the Broncos don’t know their five-eighth.
“These last few weeks should be just fine tuning that combination because it is a new one. If we are still sitting here wondering who their five-eighth is two weeks out I think that is a concern for Brisbane.”
The Broncos looked lacklustre against the Titans, before three late tries secured the draw to save some face.
“A bit scrappy,” Reynolds told Today of the trial.
“Conditions were a bit tough out there last night.
“No excuse, we dropped a fair bit of ball. But good to see the fellas hang in there and come away with the draw in the end.”
The Broncos open their season on March 11 against Reynolds’ former club South Sydney.
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