The Broncos’ depth has saved them from disaster after a huge double injury blow according to ex-Brisbane coach Kevin Walters.
Within 30 seconds, Brisbane’s starting halves pairing of Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam suffered hamstring injuries against Melbourne last week.
Thankfully, the Broncos have a ready-made replacement at halfback in Ben Hunt, who moves from hooker.
Billy Walters will also change roles and partner Hunt in the halves.
A lot will be asked of Hunt and star fullback Reece Walsh with half of the Broncos’ first choice spine missing.
“I don’t think it all belongs on Reece’s shoulders but he’ll have a big impact on the game. I think Ben Hunt, coming in to the seven jumper is key. He’s a natural born seven. He’s shown that in his career so I think he’d be looking forward to that,” Walters told foxsports.com.au.
“I think they’ve got to share the load. I think Billy can do a really good job at six and just play his role there and feed Reece Walsh, feed Kotoni Staggs and feed Shibasaki.
“They’ve got some great talent in that Broncos side, very fortunate actually to be able to lose Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam and have those two (Hunt and Walters) drop into the side.
“They’ve also got depth in the outside backs as well. Selwyn Cobbo out injured then you bring in Josiah Karapani and have the luxury of Jesse Arthurs just parked there as well.”
The decision to replace Mam at five eighth with Walters was the surprising selection call.
Walters has played 83 NRL games at five eighth but has been plying his trade as a dummy half over the past few seasons.
Despite this, Walters senior says his son is well equipped to handle the change in role for a Broncos team who is in danger of dropping out of the eight this weekend with a loss to the Dolphins on Saturday.
“It’s a different role that he has to play in the team, but I think Billy’s skill set will complement whether he plays at 9 or 6.,” Walters told foxsports.com.au.
“He’s a very selfless person and that’s what you have to be as a five-eighth. You’ve got to make sure that you’re presenting the right opportunities for your outside backs.
“Defence is probably most important area for Billy to get right and he’s good in that space with his movements and his general knowledge of the game on how and where to defend and I think that will be crucial for the Broncos as well.”
With the Broncos stacked at the hooker position, it makes sense for Maguire to make the call to move Walters to six.
The change means Cory Paix jumps into the No. 9 jersey while Tyson Smoothy will come off the bench.
According to Walters, this versatility the Broncos have is unrivalled in the competition.
“You need flexibility in your roster, which the Broncos have. To lose Adam Reynolds and Mam and then bring in the strength and quality players they have, there would be no other side in the NRL able to do that,” he said.
“That’s a great sign for their roster, but also the opportunities again arise for Corey Paix to show his wares in the nine jumper.”
One name that some fans might have thought would be appearing on the Broncos’ teamsheet this weekend with Reynolds and Mam out is Coby Black.
Black, 19, has been touted as the club’s halfback of the future and in line to replace Adam Reynolds when the veteran likely hangs up the boots at the end of next season.
Walters says that while the Broncos made the right call not throwing Black into the fire this weekend, he has liked what he’s seen from the rising star in the Queensland Cup in 2025 for Souths Logan.
“I’ve watched a fair bit of him this year. I really liked his improvement again this year,” Walters said.
“He’s still young but he has made some big improvements this year to his game, particularly defensively.
“He’s obviously matured a bit as a person and I think he’s got all the skills for mine.
“Coby certainly has a long-term future in the NRL, but just at the moment I guess you go with the experience because the Broncos need to win obviously and they don’t really have time to be sort of blooding rookies and players at this time of the year.
“It’s probably not the right time … I feel like Coby’s turn in the NRL will happen. It’s just not going to happen this weekend for the Broncos.
“Short term is probably the most important, but long term is very important. The bigger picture of certain players is equally important. And certainly in this case for Coby, I feel it’s the right decision to make (to not pick him).”
