Billy Walters has been recalled as Brisbane’s super sub as Broncos coach Michael Maguire prepares to relegate premiership hero Ben Hunt for Saturday night’s clash against the Knights.
Maguire has shown big-name reputations will count for nothing in the run to the finals with Hunt set to pay the price for Brisbane’s costly 18-10 loss to the Cowboys last week.
Hunt was handed the no.14 jumper for the XXXX derby but his below-par display against the Cowboys has paved the way for Walters to take his place for the Newcastle showdown at Suncorp Stadium.
Hunt has been retained in the No.17 jumper on the six-man bench, but the veteran utility could miss out altogether if starting halves Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds get through the full 80 minutes.
Walters produced a 27-minute cameo against the Cowboys but Brisbane’s cult figure is set for more game time against the Knights as the premiers refuse to give up hope of a finals campaign.
The Broncos need to win all six remaining games and rely on a mathematical miracle to make the playoffs, but Maguire is daring to dream and says Walters can be ‘The Difference’ to shock the Knights.
“We will stay have ‘Hunty’ in the squad, but I think Billy can play a role,” said Maguire of Walters, who returned last month from a knee reconstruction in the Queensland Cup.
“Billy can jump into hooker for us this week.
“He has got a lot of experience in the nine position.
“I thought Billy did a great job coming on the other night (against the Cowboys).
“I liked the energy he brought, so he deserves it.
“He will get better. It has taken him some time to come back from a serious knee injury, but he’s gone back and played in reserve grade and got the lungs back to where they need to be.
“I thought he came on (against the Cowboys) and had some impact – that’s what Billy brings.”
Walters’ creative touch was the X-factor in Brisbane’s charge to the premiership last season and he will play a key support role for starting hooker Cory Paix at the expense of Hunt, who has been down of form.
The 36-year-old remains on Brisbane’s six-man bench, but is likely to only see major game time against the Knights if Reynolds or Mam are injured in the heat of battle.
“When you have a six-man bench, you have some options,” Maguire said.
“’Hunty’ is versatile.
“I can play Hunty through the middle if I need to (as a forward), or if anything happens to ‘Reyno’, I have him as an option off the bench at halfback.”
Brisbane’s season from hell suffered another blow with prop Preston Riki set to undergo ankle surgery as the Broncos’ injury saga continues.
Riki, who hobbled off against the Cowboys, has been diagnosed with a syndesmosis injury and will have season-ending ankle surgery over the next 48 hours.
The loss of Riki opens the door for VJ Semu to start, while Deine Mariner has been named at centre as Gehamat Shibasaki, named 20th man, faces a fitness test on his injured knee.
There is a push for Maguire to promote fresh blood but he says the Broncos, languishing in 14th with a 6-12 record, won’t be giving away cheap jumpers.
“The guys are representing a great club in the Broncos. You have to earn your spot,” he said.
“Each game is very important and being able to have our best players out there is part of it. If I feel there’s an opportunity for someone, then I’ll look at that for sure.”
-Peter Badel
SUPERCOACH WINNERS FROM TEAMS
* Tallis Duncan – Nice little boost for SuperCoaches with the popular star named on the extended bench as he aims to return early from a hamstring injury.
* Brandon Smith – Named despite struggling with a calf injury last week.
* Kalyn Ponga – Named to return from a quad injury. Ponga is currently the fifth most sold player, so plenty of SuperCoaches may be forced into a rethink.
* Isaiya Katoa – Named on the extended bench as he eyes an early return from a wrist injury. While more likely to play next week, Katoa’s potential inclusion would be huge for attacking players at the Dolphins including Herbie Farnworth and Jamayne Isaako. In fact, Isaako averages 81 with Katoa but only 62 without him (36/5 games).
* Jack Bostock – Will be named to return from a concussion sustained in the Origin decider.
SUPERCOACH LOSERS FROM TEAMS
* Dylan Edwards – Will miss at least another week with a shoulder injury.
* Blaize Talagi – Axed to extended bench in Panthers shake-up.
* Harry Grant – Out until round 25 with a hamstring injury and therefore the most sold player.
* Dylan Lucas – Out for season with ankle dislocation/fracture and therefore the second most sold player.
* Brandon Smith – Set to be ruled out for the Rabbitohs with yet another calf injury.
* Keaon Koloamatangi – Officially named on the edge after spending plenty of time there last week.
* Dylan Brown – Out for the season with a ruptured ACL.
-Tom Sangster
NRL ROUND 22 TEAMS
COWBOYS V ROOSTERS
Thursday July 30, 7:50pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Tomas Chester 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Jaxon Purdue 8. Tom Mikaele 9. Soni Luke 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter
Interchange: 14. Ethan King 15. John Bateman 16. Matthew Lodge 17. Coen Hess 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Kaiden Lahrs
Reserves: 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Liam Sutton 22. Ronald Philitoga
Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Tommy Talau 3. Hugo Savala 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Nat Butcher 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley
Interchange: 14. Connor Watson 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Egan Butcher 17. Taylor Losalu 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Reece Foley
Reserves: 20. Tom Rodwell 21. Benaiah Ioelu 22. De La Salle Va’a
DRAGONS V DOLPHINS
Friday July 31, 6pm, WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Dragons
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Setu Tu 3. Mathew Feagai 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Dylan Egan 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Ryan Couchman
Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Josh Kerr 17. Jacob Halangahu 18. Moses Suli 19. Lyhkan King-Togia
Reserves: 20. Emre Guler 21. Christian Tuipulotu 22. Jacob Webster
Dolphins
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Brad Schneider 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Francis Molo 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles
Interchange: 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Max Plath 16. Tom Gilbert 17. Felise Kaufusi 18. Tevita Naufahu 19. Sebastian Su’a
Reserves: 20. Brian Pouniu 21. Trai Fuller 22. John Fineanganofo
STORM V BULLDOGS
Friday July 31, 8pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Storm
1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 3. Manaia Waitere 4. Nick Meaney 5. Moses Leo 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9.Trent Toelau 10. Josh King 11. Cooper Clarke 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Trent Loiero
Interchange: 14. Hayden Watson 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Shawn Blore 18. Joe Chan 19. Angus Hinchey
Reserves: 20. Davvy Moale 21. Stanley Huen 22. Jai Bowden
Bulldogs
1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Matt Burton 4. Enari Tuala 5. Jethro Rinakama 6. Stephen Crichton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Leo Thompson 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon
Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Josh Curran 16. Harry Hayes 17. Alekolasimi Jones 19. Jed Reardon 20. Sean O’Sullivan
Reserves: 21. Lipoi Hopoi 22. Jake Turpin 23. Jonathan Sua
TITANS V WARRIORS
Saturday August 1, 3pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Titans
1. Keano Kini 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Zane Harrison 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Oliver Pascoe 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall
Interchange: 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Josh Patston 16. Klese Haas 17. Cooper Bai 18. Sam Verrills 19. Lachlan Ilias
Reserves: 20. Jaylan De Groot 21. Adam Christensen 22. Jett Liu
Warriors
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark
Interchange: 14. Samuel Healey 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima 18. Luke Metcalf 20. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Reserves: 21. Rocco Berry 22. Luke Laulilii 23. Jacob Auloa
PANTHERS V RAIDERS
Saturday August 1, 5:30pm, Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee
Panthers
1. Jaxen Edgar 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cogger 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo
Interchange: 14. Billy Scott 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Liam Henry 17. Billy Phillips 18. Izack Tago 19. Jack Cole
Reserves: 20. Blaize Talagi 21. Luron Patea 22. Kalani Leuluai-going
Raiders
1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Owen Pattie 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Zac Hosking 12. Ata Mariota 13. Morgan Smithies
Interchange: 14. Tom Starling 15. Matt Nicholson 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Daine Laurie 18. Sebastian Kris 19. Joseph Roddy
Reserves: 20. Coby Black 21. Savelio Tamale 22. Vena Patuki-Case
BRONCOS V KNIGHTS
Saturday August 1, 7:35pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Broncos
1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Grant Anderson 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Va’a Semu 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan
Interchange: 14. Billy Walters 15. Ben Talty 16. Jaiyden Hunt 17. Ben Hunt 18. Luke Gale 19. Hayze Perham
Reserves: 20. Gehamat Shibasaki 22. Jesse Arthars 23. Joshua Coric
Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Cody Hopwood 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew
Croker
Interchange: 14. Harrison Graham 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Thomas Cant 17. Brodie Jones 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Lachlan Crouch
Reserves: 20. Toby Winter 21. Kyle McCarthy 22. Connor Votano
SHARKS V RABBITOHS
Sunday August 2, 2pm, Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney
Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Thomas Hazelton 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes
Interchange: 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Billy Burns 16. 17. Jesse Colquhoun 18. Mawene Hiroti 19. Jayden Berrell
Reserves: 20. Braden Uele 21. Samuel Stonestreet 21. Niwahi Puru
Rabbitohs
1. Matthew Dufty 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Siegwalt 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Ashton Ward 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. John Radel 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Lachlan Hubner
Interchange: 14. Jye Gray 15. Jamie Humphreys 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Sean Keppie 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Edward Kosi
Reserves: 20. Thomas Fletcher 21. Tallis Duncan 22. Adam Elliot
WESTS TIGERS V PARRAMATTA EELS
Sunday August 2, 4:05pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Wests Tigers
1. Jahream Bula 2. Junior Tupou 3. Heamasi Makasini 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Sunia Turuva 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Sione Fainu 13. Alex Twal
Interchange: 14. Heath Mason 15. Charlie Murray 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Tony Sukkar 18. Tristan Hope 19. Starford To’a
Reserves: 20. Javon Andrews 21. Ethan Roberts 22. Bunty Afoa
Eels
1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Brian Kelly 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Sam Tuivaiti 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Jack Williams 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Jack de Belin
Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Junior Paulo 16. Teancum Brown 17. Harrison Edwards 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Toni Mataele
Reserves: 20. Araz Nanva 21. Ryley Smith 22. Jonah Pezet
BYE: Manly Sea Eagles
Originally published as NRL teams Round 22: Ben Hunt dropped, Blaize Talagi benched, Tallis Duncan back early?