Brisbane Broncos coach Michael Maguire has made the sensational decision to drop Kangaroos centre Gehamat Shibasaki from the starting side to take on the Melbourne Storm. This comes as Adam Reynolds is reportedly set to miss the NRL grand final rematch.
Maguire has made a number of changes to his XIII after losing two straight games to start the season. The Broncos’ defence has been woeful in the two games against the Penrith Panthers and Parramatta Eels with Shibasaki, Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam all scrutinised for their lapses. And Maguire has again made changes dropping Shibasaki to the bench.
Michael Maguire has dropped Gehemat Shibasaki (pictured far left) from the starting side with Adam Reynolds set to withdraw from the game. (Images: Getty Images)
New recruit Grant Anderson will come onto the wing for Deine Mariner who will shift into the centres. Anderson will make his debut for the Broncos against his former club with the versatile back set to offer energy out wide.
The move will come as a shock to Shibasaki who was one of the feel-good stories of 2025 after winning an Origin series with the Maroons and the Ashes with the Kangaroos after starting the season on a train-and-trial contract. Although his defence has been lacking across the opening two games and he hasn’t offered a lot in attack.
Broncos legend Sam Thaiday backed Maguire’s move to drop Shibasaki ahead of the decision suggesting the centre would benefit from a run in the QLD Cup. “As much as I love Gehamat Shibasaki and he had such a great season last year, there’s been a couple of things where he’s been lacking,” Thaiday told Wide World of Sports’ QLDER program. “He was brilliant defensively last year and got some really good reads right, but he’s just been a little bit off this year.
“It was a massive year, so maybe there’s a little bit of fatigue. You never want to see it but if it does happen, I’d sit down with Gehamat and have a coffee with him and have a chat with him and tell him it’s not the end of the world (if he’s axed). It’s an opportunity to get better.”
Many fans agreed with Maguire’s call to make changes after conceding 40 points to the Eels at home last week. Anderson will now get the opportunity to lock down one wing against his former club.
Adam Reynolds set to miss Storm clash
Meanwhile, Reynolds could withdraw from the clash on Friday night after injuring his ribs against the Eels. Reynolds has been training this week, but was a doubt heading into the match. Maguire named Reynolds in the No.7 jersey on Tuesday, but Triple M Radio host and reporter Ben Dobbin claimed Reynolds was set to be ruled out of the game.
This was before The Courier Mail also reported Reynolds is expected to be ruled out. While there is doubt surrounding his participation in the NRL grand final rematch, coach Maguire suggested he expects Reynolds to line-up in the Broncos jersey.
“He will be right, he is ready to go,” Maguire said on Channel 7. Fans will be hoping their playmaker is free to line-up against the Storm with the Broncos desperate not to start their title defence with three straight losses.
Adam Reynolds (pictured right) apepars to be a doubt to play the Melbourne Storm, despite being named. (Getty Images)
(Bradley Kanaris via Getty Images)