Brisbane Broncos captain Adam Reynolds on track for round one after neck surgery

Brisbane Broncos captain Adam Reynolds is progressing well in his recovery from neck surgery and is on track to play in the first round match against the Sydney Roosters. The 34-year-old underwent surgery last December, after injuries including a torn bicep limited him to just 13 NRL appearances in his 13-year career, his lowest ever.

The recent surgery was very successful, and Broncos performance chief Dave Ballard stated that Reynolds will be able to lead the team in the first round of the NRL on March 6 in Sydney. "Reyno is progressing well with his recovery. He has started non-contact training with the team and is still on track to be ready for round one," Ballard said.

The experienced halfback's positive progress comes as new coach Michael Maguire prepares to make key decisions regarding the team's lineup. The hooker and number 14 jersey are the most fiercely contested positions within the Red Hill squad, with Billy Walters, Cory Paix, Blake Mozer and Tyson Smoothy all vying to impress the coach. Maguire has remained tight-lipped about his selections, frequently rotating hookers in training, keeping the competition suspenseful.

Paix has undoubtedly risen in the ranks after being relegated to the Queensland Cup in the 2024 season and not playing any NRL games. Walters is the incumbent hooker, while 20-year-old Mozer is putting pressure on him with a crafty skillset. Reynolds' absence from most on-field training has also allowed Maguire to focus more on the training of 18-year-old halfback Kobe Brough. The highly touted youngster has impressed with his kicking game and possesses a strong boot, testing fullback Reece Walsh in training.

Another major selection decision for Maguire revolves around his center rotation. Prop Payne Haas has undergone ankle surgery and is expected to miss the first round match. This will give utility specialist Kobe Hetherington more opportunities to convince Maguire he deserves a starting spot, potentially shifting Pat Carrigan from lock to the front row. Haas is expected to be ready for the clash with the Roosters. "It was just a minor clean-up on his ankle. In consultation with the medical team, we thought it was best for Payne to get it done before the season started," Ballard said. "We expect him to spend a couple of weeks with the rehab team and then reintegrate back into the full squad before round one."