![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\n
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n
Watch the 2026 NRL Preseason series plus the All-Start matches LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX LEAGUE available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m all good,\u201d Reynolds said only a few days after he revealed the 2026 season would be his last in the NRL.<\/p>\n \u201cPreparations will be a little bit different to Brisbane. It\u2019s nice and cold over here, so we have a few more layers on.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re taking this extremely serious. We\u2019re here to get the job done. These experiences for the club can be terrific.<\/p>\n Brisbane Broncos training session in London ahead of the Challenge World Cup match – Adam Reynolds Picture BroncosSource: Supplied Source Known<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been extremely fortunate enough to (play in the WCC) a number of years ago (with South Sydney). I think we started 6-0.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a great experience for the team. It\u2019s one that we\u2019re looking forward to, we\u2019ll be trying to bring that (WCC trophy) back home to Brisbane.\u201d<\/p>\n Hunt, meanwhile, was reportedly battling a hamstring complaint but got through training unscathed and will be free to take the field at the sold out MKM Stadium.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Ezra Mam and Xavier Willison trained with no-contact bids in their final session before travelling abroad, but both are expected to be free to play.<\/p>\n CRONK\u2019S BIG LATRELL CALL<\/p>\n NRL Hall of Famer Cooper Cronk believes if Souths are to win a comp this season, don\u2019t expect to see much of Latrell Mitchell in the centres.<\/p>\n When he\u2019s on, Mitchell is one of the best attacking players this game has seen. While he\u2019s played fullback for the vast majority of his Rabbitohs career, Mitchell is set to start 2026 at left centre.<\/p>\n However, Cronk \u2013 a former teammate of Mitchell at the Roosters \u2013 thinks the Bunnies are better served with Mitchell playing attacking sets at five-eighth or fullback.<\/p>\n \u201cIn centre, he\u2019s going to touch the ball ten times a game. Six of them will be carries from his own end which means he\u2019s going to have four (meaningful) touches,\u201d Cronk said on the Kayo NRL podcast. <\/p>\n \u201cBut if you play him close to the ball and he has 20 to 30 touches, that ratio goes up.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he would struggle defensively at five-eighth \u2026 I could see a world where he can defend at centre and play at five-eighth.<\/p>\n \u201cIf Souths win the premiership under Wayne Bennett, I don\u2019t think Latrell is the centre. He might defend there, but I think he\u2019s either fullback or five-eighth (in attack).\u201d<\/p>\n With Jye Gray at fullback and Mitchell able to play there as well, the Rabbitohs are well stocked at that position.<\/p>\n However, there are some question marks over the club\u2019s halves, which is why Bennett may need to turn to Mitchell for some playmaking spark.<\/p>\n Jamie Humphreys and recruit Jonah Glover are talented but inexperienced. Cody Walker is dangerous when on song but injuries have been prevalent of late while Jayden Sullivan has failed to make his mark despite several first grade opportunities.<\/p>\n Get all the latest news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports NRL Sportmail. Sign up now!!! <\/a><\/p>\n Cronk unpacks Haas’ shock departure | 15:59<\/p>\n \u2018PRETTY TOUGH\u2019 BRONCOS REALITY AWAITING SOON-TO-BE RECRUIT<\/p>\n Jonah Pezet has been warned about the challenges ahead after the young gun playmaker signed one of the most unique deals in NRL history.<\/p>\n Pezet will spend 2026 at the Eels before he joins the Broncos long term.<\/p>\n The deal has major benefits for both sides after Pezet made the big call to leave the Melbourne Storm for more opportunities, with the youngster stuck behind established stars Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster.<\/p>\n The Broncos get a star on the rise to replace the retiring Adam Reynolds in a key position, while the Eels get a quality playmaker with something to prove to partner rep star Mitch Moses in the halves.<\/p>\n Parramatta is still searching for their long-term five-eighth following Dylan Brown\u2019s departure on a record-breaking deal to join the Knights, but Pezet is a dream replacement albeit for just one year.<\/p>\n Jonah Pezet has impressed Eels star Mitchell Moses since joining the club. Picture: InstagramSource: Instagram<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a very confident kid and he\u2019s very loud which is something we needed,\u201d Moses said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe loves his footy and I love my footy, so we haven\u2019t had any dramas connecting on the field.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s very smart and he\u2019s very mature for his age. He hasn\u2019t played too much first grade, but he\u2019s got a strong footy mind. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s coming from one of the best clubs of the past 20 years and he would have learnt a lot off Jahrome and Munster who are two of the best halves in the game. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been really good for us, but everyone thinks they can win the premiership in the pre-season, so we just need to transition what we\u2019re doing well now out onto the field.\u201d<\/p>\n Pezet will have big boots to fill when he arrives in Brisbane following Monday\u2019s announcement that Reynolds would retire at the end of the season.<\/p>\n The 35-year-old captain of the Broncos helped them win a drought-breaking premiership and will go down as one of the best halfbacks of the modern era.<\/p>\n Can Bellamy deliver another Grand Final? | 05:02<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s done a lot for the whole NRL. He\u2019s been so good for us at the Broncos and he was so good at the Bunnies when he was there,\u201d Broncos utility Billy Walters told the NewsWire.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s probably been one of the top three halfbacks of the past 15 years, and we definitely wouldn\u2019t be anywhere near where we are without \u2018Reyno\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cIt probably wasn\u2019t too much of a surprise because he was getting to the point where it was either going to be this year or next year, and I think he just wanted to make sure that it wasn\u2019t about him and wanted to get it done so we could focus on this year.\u201d<\/p>\n What happens next year is exciting, but Walters doesn\u2019t want to heap any unnecessary pressure on Pezet, with Brisbane players more focused on winning another title before Reynolds and Payne Haas (Rabbitohs) leave.<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n CRAWLS: Why Haas stunner is shades of Madge\u2019s almighty fallout with Souths icon<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018NO LAST DANCE\u2019: But big Broncos questions linger over Haas exit <\/a><\/p>\n Pezet will spend a year at the Eels before he joins the Broncos. Picture: InstagramSource: Instagram<\/p>\n \u201cWe get Jonah next year, and he\u2019s an exciting young prospect,\u201d Walters said after joining Brisbane in 2022 following stints with the Storm and the Wests Tigers. <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to put too much pressure on him because I know that it can be pretty tough coming to the Broncos as a young halfback to take the reins. <\/p>\n \u201cBut he\u2019s got a year at Parramatta where he can ply his trade, and hopefully they\u2019re priming him so he\u2019s ready to go when he comes to us.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll worry about that next year. Rugby league is a funny game, so you never know what\u2019s going to happen in 12 months\u2019 time. Who knows where we\u2019ll be at and who\u2019ll be in our team? <\/p>\n \u201cWe just have to enjoy this last year with Payne and Reyno and make sure we go back to back.\u201d<\/p>\n BRONCOS STAR OPENS UP ROAD TO RECOVERY<\/p>\n Speaking of Walters, he is hoping to be back on the field before his side\u2019s round 20 blockbuster against the Panthers, with the utility the latest player to give his take on how the expanded benches will affect guys like him.<\/p>\n Walters missed Brisbane\u2019s grand final win over the Storm after he required an ACL reconstruction following an injury to his knee during the epic qualifying final victory in Canberra.<\/p>\n The 32-year-old was invited up on stage to lift the trophy by skipper Adam Reynolds in a touching moment on grand final night, with Walters desperate to return as soon as possible in 2026 to help his side go back to back.<\/p>\n An injured Billy Walters and Adam Reynolds lift the premiership trophy last year. Picture: Adam HeadSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to be back playing before round 20. That would be about nine months after the injury,\u201d he said, with Brisbane having a bye in round 19.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t want to put a date on it too much in case you get caught up on it and things don\u2019t go to plan, but hopefully I can be back by round 20 which would give me enough time to play some footy before the finals.<\/p>\n \u201cWho knows, though? Rugby league is a funny game, so there might not even be a spot for me in the team when I get back, so it\u2019s a bit of a weird one for me.\u201d <\/p>\n The injury and subsequent rehab ruined Walters\u2019 festive period, but the hurt of missing out on the premiership has helped him fight through the pain. <\/p>\n \u201cIt was pretty tough because I wasn\u2019t able to enjoy my off-season as I normally would,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n