Brisbane’s return to the finals will depend on the form of champions midfielder Adam Reynolds, but coach Kevin Walters will not back his captain.
Walters told News Corp he has no plans to rest Reynolds this season to help protect his champion captain in the twilight of his career after Brisbane’s most important player was again ruled out of pre-season trials.
For the second year running, Reynolds failed to play a minute of trial action, missing Saturday night’s 20-18 NRL Pre-Season Challenge loss to the Cowboys with a lower back injury.
Reynolds turns 33 in July and there is a view the Broncos will need to carefully manage the 251-game veteran’s workload to ensure he is physically fit to see out his contract with Brisbane, which expires at the end of next season.
But Walters insists Reynolds is not an injury risk and says he won’t wrap his No. 1 playmaker in cotton wool as the Broncos chase their first finals appearance since 2019.
“We’re not going to rest in Reno this year,” Walters said.
“We’re going to play him as much as we can this year.
“He’s such a competitive guy and he wants to be on the field as much as possible.
“It’s important that our top staff look after his body week in and week out and in and around training.
“I was really pleased with Adam’s performances last year. He’s decided to get down on his knees and get himself in top shape this year and I’m sure he’ll have another very strong season.”
History shows Reynolds is an NRL ironman who can play through the pain barrier.
The premiership playmaker has played 20 or more games in nine of his 11 NRL seasons and has averaged 22 a year since making his senior debut for South Sydney in 2012.
Reynolds, who played 20 games in his first season with the Broncos last year, watched Brisbane’s trial defeat to the Cowboys from the coaching box and Walters is confident his No.7 will face the Panthers on Friday, March 3 , at the opening of the Premier League. .
“He should be right for the first round,” Walters said.
“He’s confident in playing. It will be another 12 days before the game against Penrith. I think he will be there. I think he will be fine. He seems pretty confident. He’s a good experienced player so he’ll know if he’s ready.”
Walters admits star fullback Rhys Walsh (fractured face) cannot join Reynolds in Brisbane’s playing spine for the Panthers clash.
“I’d say he (Reynolds) is a better chance than Reece,” Walters said.
“But never write to a young man.
“Reece is a bit confused with him so I’m sure he wants to play too. We are in a good position and if we get those two in the team it will be nice for us.”
Originally published as NRL 2023: Broncos captain Adam Reynolds injury myth busted