BRISBANE — The Brisbane Broncos copped another gut punch this week with star centre Kotoni Staggs ruled out for up to six weeks after a fresh injury, while Selwyn Cobbo turned heads in a dazzling switch to fullback. Meanwhile, across town, Canterbury Bulldogs’ firebrand Josh Addo-Carr narrowly escaped a send-off in a fiery clash, keeping his side’s finals hopes alive.
Staggs, a linchpin in Brisbane’s backline, limped off during the Broncos’ April 16 clash against the Raiders, clutching his right knee. Scans confirmed a grade-two medial collateral ligament tear, a brutal blow for a player who’s already battled injuries this season. The 26-year-old, who inked a $4 million contract extension last year, will miss at least five games, with a return slated for late May. Coach Kevin Walters called it “a kick in the teeth” but backed his squad’s depth to cover the gap.
Stepping into the spotlight, young gun Selwyn Cobbo delivered a masterclass after being shifted to fullback to cover for the injured Reece Walsh. Against the Raiders, the 22-year-old racked up 180 run metres, broke six tackles, and set up two tries in a 34-20 win. His electric footwork and fearless ball-running have sparked talk of a permanent role change, with Walters praising Cobbo’s “raw, unteachable spark.” The move paid off, with Brisbane climbing to fifth on the ladder.
Meanwhile, Canterbury’s Josh Addo-Carr found himself in hot water during the Bulldogs’ April 18 thriller against the Titans. The winger, known for his blistering pace, caught Titans fullback AJ Brimson with a high shot in the 22nd minute, sparking a melee. Referees sent the incident to the bunker, but Addo-Carr escaped with a fine, avoiding a send-off that could’ve swung the game. The Bulldogs held on for a 28-24 victory, their third straight win, with Addo-Carr later cited for a grade-one careless high tackle, facing a $1,000 penalty.
The NRL judiciary confirmed Addo-Carr’s fine on April 19, while Staggs’ injury was detailed in a Broncos medical update on April 17. Cobbo’s standout stats were logged in official NRL match reports, cementing his case as Brisbane’s new X-factor.