The Canberra Raiders have been rocked by a potentially devastating blow ahead of their qualifying final against the Broncos, with veteran Josh Papalii reportedly racing the clock to be fit. Papalii is said to have suffered a ‘significant’ ankle injury at training on Friday and required assistance.
The injury is said to have occurred in a scrimmage at training and Papalii needed to be helped from the field. The 33-year-old has been in a moon boot ever since, and the Raiders are holding out hope he’ll be right for Sunday’s showdown with Brisbane.
Josh Papalii (L) is in serious doubt for the Raiders, while Billy Slater (R) reckons the Broncos should start Adam Reynolds on the bench. Image: Getty
Papalii was one of 10 players rested by coach Ricky Stuart for Canberra’s loss to the Dolphins on Sunday. The veteran prop will reportedly be kept on ice and won’t train before Saturday’s captain’s run.
If Papalii is forced to miss the game, Stuart has the luxury of being able to call on Trey Mooney or even Matty Nicholson. The latter was in sublime form early in the season before injuring his ankle, and has been forced to bide his time in reserve-grade since returning last month.
Stuart might opt to play it safe with Papalii considering the Raiders will get a second chance if they lose to the Broncos. The minor premiers will get a week off and advance straight through to the preliminary final if they win, but won’t be eliminated by a loss.
Josh Papalii is an inspirational leader for the Canberra Raiders. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Billy Slater says Adam Reynolds should come off bench when fit
The Broncos are also believed to be leaning towards playing it safe with skipper Adam Reynolds as he pushes to return from a hamstring strain. Reynolds hasn’t played since Round 23 when he suffered the injury against the Storm, and he then suffered a slight setback at training two weeks ago.
The Broncos have won four on the trot with the makeshift halves pairing of Ben Hunt and Billy Walters, who’ve managed to unlock fullback Reece Walsh. The young star has arguably been the form player of the comp over the last month thanks to the early ball being provided by Hunt and Walters.
Adam Reynolds hasn’t played since Round 23 due to a hamstring strain. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Speaking on Channel 9 on Sunday, Queensland State of Origin coach Billy Slater said he’d put Reynolds on the bench when he’s ready to return. Regardless of whether it’s this week or in coming weeks, Slater reckons coach Michael Maguire shouldn’t mess with a winning halves formula.
“I wouldn’t start with Reynolds,” Slater said on the Sunday Footy Show. “I’d leave them (Hunt and Walters). If Adam Reynolds comes back and he’s 100 per cent this week or next week, I’d put him on the bench.
“You’ve got Billy Walters who can start the game, and then if need-be you can switch him to dummy-half. I think the option to have Adam Reynolds on the bench – a little bit like how Wayne Bennett is using Cody Walker (at Souths) – I think that could be the way forward with the Broncos.”
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Adam Reynolds unlikely for Raiders game
Reynolds admitted to The Courier Mail he’s unlikely to play against Canberra considering there’s the luxury of not being eliminated by a loss. “We have training on Tuesday so we’ll get through a few things there and see how it (his injured hamstring) is feeling,” Reynolds said.
“If it’s feeling good, I’ll join the team, if it’s not, we’ll make a decision straight away. I’m feeling good mentally and physically. There’s still a few boxes to tick before I make a final decision, but when you get in the top four you get two bites at the cherry.
“With the way the halves are going at the moment, we’re pretty confident if I’m not there we can get the job done. That takes a bit of the pressure off to make a decision and rush back, which I don’t feel I need to.”