Michael Maguire is facing another selection dilemma after the double blow.
The Brisbane Broncos have been hit with a fresh blow after the bye round with Michael Maguire still unable to select Ben Hunt after the star suffered a slight setback during his recovery. Broncos coach Maguire is facing plenty of pressure to get the club back on a winning streak having only won two of his last eight games in charge.
The Broncos were able to bounce back against the Titans before the bye thanks to the return of Reece Walsh with the squad able to rest up and reset before round 16. Maguire would have been hoping to have the experience of Hunt back for selection against the Sharks this weekend as the Broncos look to carry over the momentum against the 5th placed team.
The veteran has not featured in the starting XIII after injuring himself in round 10. Hunt injured his hamstring against the Rabbitohs and limped off the field during the loss.
In Hunt’s absence, Ezra Mam slotted into five-eighth role after his NRL suspension came to an end. And the coach is expected to use Hunt as the No.9 when he returns, which would see Cory Paix or Billy Walters drop out of the side.
Hunt has thrived in the representative arena throughout his career as a No.9, which saw him play some of his best footy for Queensland during State of Origin. While he has played as a halfback for the majority of his NRL career, he was always signed at the Broncos with the idea of playing a dummy-half role with Adam Reynolds their chief playmaker.
But Maguire hasn’t had the opportunity to start Hunt in this role and he will have to wait with the veteran set to spend another week on the sideline, according to The Daily Telegraph. Hunt hasn’t recovered in time for the Sharks clash with his hamstring not ready. This could also be seen as a blow for Queensland coach Billy Slater.
Harry Grant has enjoyed his best Origin moments coming off the bench for Queensland with Hunt starting and taking on the early workload. While Hunt was no certainty to play in 2025, Slater would have liked the option of choosing the veteran having chopped and changed his team for Game 2 in Perth.
Broncos hit with Ben Te Kura injury
Maguire will also be dealing with a setback to his thin forward pack stocks with an injury adding to the drama. The coach will be hoping NSW prop Payne Haas backs up after Origin on Wednesday with Ben Te Kura ruled out for six to eight weeks.
Te Kura had only just joined the side in recent weeks having gone back to QLD Cup and proved his worth to Maguire in the first-half of the season. However, Te Kura will miss six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery on an injury, according to AAP reporter Joel Gould.
Te Kura’s injury could have also prompted Maguire to bolster the forward depth by signing journeyman forward Ben Talty with immediate effect. Talty has been in the Melbourne Storm system since 2023, plying his trade with the North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup.
