Source : ABC NEWS
Brisbane captain Adam Reynolds has succumbed to injury and will not play against North Queensland, but his replacement Tom Duffy has the full backing of his coach to do the job.
Duffy will make his Broncos club debut in the NRL at halfback against his former side, the Cowboys, at Lang Park.
Reynolds was away from the main group at the captain’s run on Thursday, sprinting and running side-to-side to test his injured groin, but his valiant attempt to play was a bridge too far.
“Reyno did all the running. He was OK with that, but he just felt the kicking part was something that wasn’t where it needed to be,” Broncos coach Michael Maguire said.
“So we’re fortunate to have Tommy ready to go.”
The main squad trained with Duffy calling the shots at halfback alongside five-eighth Ezra Mam.
The 22-year-old, who will also kick goals in the absence of the skipper, has been a sponge around Reynolds and fellow injured playmaker Ben Hunt.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing Tommy get his opportunity. He’s fitted in really well. He came in on day one, ripped into the pre-season and he’s earning everything he’s doing,” Maguire said.
“He’s really good at being able to organise a team and he’s got a great kicking game.
“Tommy, he just needs to play his part and do his job, as we say. I know he’ll do that for us.”
The Broncos will elevate playmaker Josh Rogers to the six-man bench to provide cover for Duffy.
AAP
