Broncos star axed as Walsh gives Maguire new hope
Brisbane coach Michael Maguire has swung the axe with representative outside back Selwyn Cobbo dropped from the team.
The decision, after the Broncos lost six of seven matches, shows Maguire is prepared to be make big calls for poor performances.
Josiah Karapani, 23, will come into the side on the wing for his first NRL match of the season against Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
Star fullback Reece Walsh returns to No.1 after missing six weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury and will partner halves Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds for the first time as a combination in 2025.
The Broncos have not been happy with 23-year-old Cobbo's recent performances at fullback and wing.
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Maguire explained his decision, with Cobbo expected to play Queensland Cup for Wynnum Manly.
'As a group, and as a leadership group and as a coach, we're pushing standards here and expectations in how we're doing things, and Karapani's got his opportunity and Selly's got to look at a few things in his game,' Maguire said.
'[Karapani] has been really consistent in the way he's been playing through the preseason ... and he's obviously experienced first grade. When he has played, he's played really well. I know he'll do a good job.'
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