The Broncos have been rocked by confirmation that superstar prop forward Payne Haas won’t play in Friday night’s Battle for Brisbane, but there is better news with skipper Adam Reynolds cleared to return from a rib complaint.
The club put out a medical update on their inspirational front-rower, with Xavier Willison the man to replace Haas in the middle.
“Brisbane Broncos prop Payne Haas has been ruled out of Friday night’s clash against the Dolphins with a shoulder injury,” the statement read.
“Haas has commenced rehabilitation and will continue to be monitored in the coming days.”
While Haas won’t play, Brisbane welcome back their veteran No. 7 after Reynolds missed last week’s win over the Storm.
Brendan Piakura starts in the back row for the defending premiers against a Dolphins side that has named Tom Flegler on the bench.
The undefeated Warriors have received a major boost with Luke Metcalf named to return in the halves from a devastating knee injury that ended his 2025 campaign.
The speedy playmaker led the Dally M race last season before the injury but he’s been cleared to play five-eighth, with Tanah Boyd to remain halfback thanks to his scorching form to start the season.
The Warriors also get Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Adam Pompey back for their game against the Wests Tigers who have named Adam Doueihi after a hamstring scare, while Jock Madden replaces Jarome Luai (knee) in the halves.
Excitement machine Fletcher Sharpe returns from the knee injury he suffered in Las Vegas to give the Knights attack some much needed firepower, while Teig Wilton starts in the back row for Cronulla with Briton Nikora (broken nose) ruled out.
Roosters centre Billy Smith is back in the team following an e-bike accident that saw him miss two games, while Hugo Savala has been named on an extended bench and could make his season debut.
Veteran Brian Kelly has earned a recall for Parramatta’s clash against the Panthers on Saturday night, while Zac Laybutt replaces the suspended Tom Chester at the Cowboys.
And the Dragons have had to reshuffle their forward pack with the Couchman brothers unavailable, with the towering Loko Pasifiki Tonga named in jersey No. 17 and set to play a week after he left training in an ambulance following an injury scare to his neck.
