Manly suffer double Trbojevic blow for Broncos clash
Tom Trbojevic will be rested from Manly's clash with Brisbane after aggravating his corked thigh, while his brother Jake will also delay his return from a concussion.
The Sea Eagles confirmed on Tuesday their star fullback had aggravated the cork in last week's loss to Parramatta, after battling the issue for the past month.
Officials insisted they were taking a "conservative" approach by resting the No.1, and that the issue was not a serious one.
Trbojevic remains one of the most dangerous fullbacks in the game when fully fit, but has struggled to have a fully healthy body this year.
After starting the season with a bang against North Queensland, he suffered hamstring tightness in Auckland the following week.
He missed one game and then suffered a knee injury on his return in round four, ruling him out for another month.
Trbojevic returned for Manly's round-eight win over Penrith, but then suffered a serious cork in that match that has limited his movement ever since.
NSW coach Laurie Daley listed the fullback's fitness as a chief concern when opting not to name him in the Blues' team for State of Origin I.
The decision to rest Jake Trbojevic another week comes after he suffered a concussion in Manly's round-11 win over the Cowboys.
The head knock was the lock's second in the space of a month, prompting Manly to play it safe with the man who captained NSW to an Origin series win in 2024.
Manly have also lost prop Siosiua Taukeiaho to a calf injury for the match against Brisbane at Brookvale, but he is only expected to miss one week.
The Broncos are yet to decide whether their star front-rower Payne Haas will back up from Origin I, after he was cleared of a quad tear to play in the match.
Teams with Origin players are able to name extended squads for this weekend's matches, in order to cover for injuries.
Penrith are expected to have all five of their NSW Origin stars back up against Parramatta on Sunday, with the four-day turnaround coming as the Panthers fight to salvage their season.
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