Brendan Piakura concussion concerns
Broncos coach Michael Maguire has taken a safety-first approach, following NRL head-trauma protocols by resting Piakura for Thursday night's blockbuster against the Storm at AAMI Park.
There are concerns about Piakura's long-term future in the sport after the Queensland Origin hopeful suffered his third concussion of the season last week, ruling him out of Brisbane's road trip to Melbourne.
Piakura has suffered at least five concussions in the past four years, including failing a HIA (Head Injury Assessment) in a Queensland Cup preliminary final just two months after making his Broncos NRL debut in 2021.
Just turned 23, Piakura has sustained concussions twice in premiership matches this season, before copping a third head knock at Brisbane's captain's run last Thursday, which saw him miss the Broncos' 60-14 rout of South Sydney.
After three concussions in 117 days, the Broncos are taking no risks and Maguire has vowed to do everything possible to ensure Piakura makes a safe return on the eve of the finals series.
'We'll manage this but Brendan is fine,' Maguire said.
'He's been back at training (after missing the Souths game) but we're just making sure that we manage 'Brendy' in the right way.
'The first point of what I have always done is care for the player and that (his tackle technique) is something we have looked at.'
Regarded as one of the code's most promising back-row prospects, Piakura has been tipped for stardom but has managed just 49 games in five seasons due to injuries and head knocks.
The Queensland under-18s sensation was concussed in the dying minutes of Brisbane's defeat of Wests Tigers in round six attempting to tackle forward Alex Twal, colliding with his left shoulder.
Last month, Piakura was ruled out in the opening minutes of Brisbane's win over the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium after his face slammed into the turf as he chased a kick to score a try.
The hard-hitting forward also copped a head knock in Brisbane's round one opener against the Roosters last year in Las Vegas, but was cleared of concussion symptoms to play the following week.
In the absence of Piakura, Jack Gosiewski will start in the back row against the Storm, while Payne Haas returns from a skin infection to bolster an engine room missing Xavier Willison, who broke his arm against the Rabbitohs.
Piakura's scratching and the loss of Willison has opened the door for North Sydney front-row recruit Ben Talty and back-rower Jaiyden Hunt to be named on the bench against the Storm.
Former Broncos skipper Corey Parker is a huge fan of Piakura and hopes the Cook Islands international is not forced into retirement by repeated concussions.
'It is a real worry,' Parker said.
'Brendan is a massive talent but unfortunately he seems to be in the mould of Victor Radley (Roosters lock) with his concussions.
'I love his aggression and the way he plays the game, but he's no good to anyone if he's constantly on the sidelines with head knocks.
'Brendan has made a good career so far out of creasing blokes in defence, but he needs to look at his tackle-tech zones and pick his moments.
'If he wants to be a long-term NRL player, he's going to have to make adjustments.' ROUND 23 TEAMS - INDIGENOUS ROUND
STORM v BRONCOS
Thursday, 7:50pm, AAMI Park
Storm (Wurundjeri)
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Grant Anderson 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero
Interchange: 14. Jonah Pezet 15. Ativalu Lisati 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Joe Chan
Reserves: 18. Kane Bradley 19. Bronson Garlick 20. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 21. Alec MacDonald 22. Lazarus Vaalepu
Broncos (Yuggera & Turrbal)
1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Ben Hunt 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan
Interchange: 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Ben Talty 17. Jaiyden Hunt
Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy 19 Jesse Arthars 20. Cory Paix 21. Josiah Karapani 22. Va'a Semu
DOLPHINS v ROOSTERS
Saturday, 5:30pm, Suncorp Stadium
Dolphins (Turrbal, Yuggera, Ningy Ningy, & Kabi Kabi)
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Max Feagai 4. Tevita Naufahu 5. Jake Averillo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe
Interchange: 14. Ray Stone 15. Aublix Tawha 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Josh Kerr
Reserves: 18. Harrison Graham 19. Peter Hola 20. LJ Nonu 21. Kenny Bromwich 22. Trai Fuller
Roosters (Eora & Gadigal)
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Hugo Savala 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley
Interchange: 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Egan Butcher 16. Salesi Foketi 17. Spencer Leniu
Reserves: 18. Ethan King 19. Blake Steep 20. Sandon Smith 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Zach Dockar-Clay
TITANS v RABBITOHS
Sunday, 2:00pm, Cbus Super Stadium
Titans (Yugambeh)
1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas
Interchange: 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 16. Iszac Fa'asumaleaui 17. Josh Patston
Reserves: 18. Arama Hau 19. Tom Weaver 20. Tukimihia Simpkins 21. Tony Francis 22. Ryan Foran
Rabbitohs (Eora & Gadigal)
1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Tallis Duncan 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Ashton Ward 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Sean Keppie 11. Euan Aitken 12. Jacob Host 13. Lachlan Hubner
Interchange: 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Liam Le Blanc 16. Brandon Smith 17. Thomas Fletcher
Reserves: 18. Tyrone Munro 19. Talanoa Penitani 20. Salesi Ataata 21. Shaquai Mitchell 22. Latrell Mitchell
EELS v COWBOYS
Sunday, 4:05pm, CommBank Stadium
Eels (Dharug & Burramattagal)
1. Joash Papali'i 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dean Hawkins 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J'maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker
Interchange: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Luca Moretti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Kelma Tuilagi
Reserves: 18. Ronald Volkman 19. Dan Keir 20. Haze Dunster 21. Toni Mataele 22. Dylan Brown
Cowboys (Wulgurukaba & Bindal)
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Zac Laybutt 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Harrison Edwards 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter
Interchange: 14. Marly Bitungane 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kai O'Donnell 17. Coen Hess
Reserves: 18. Jaxson Paulo 19. Semi Valemei 20. Nicholas Lenaz 21. Jamal Shibasaki 22. Kaiden Lahrs NRL
While legend Benny Elias called it 'ugly hatred', the NRL's slap on the wrist for the Tigers players who insulted Bulldogs fans on the weekend is just right, writes Brent Read. NRL
West Tigers centre Brent Naden has been hit with a breach notice after the NRL's investigation into his 'khawd' celebration against the Bulldogs, with a trio of other stars officially warned.
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