Haas 'in trouble' as training run exposes Broncos injuries

Payne Haas sent a major scare through Red Hill at captain's run on Thursday morning – but according to Broncos coach Kevin Walters, there's no need to panic just yet.

The superstar prop failed to finish training ahead of Brisbane's round nine clash with the Roosters, with his surgically-repaired knee giving him "a bit of trouble".

The 24-year-old has missed a fair chunk of the season to date and only returned last weekend in a dominant win over the Wests Tigers, but is now in doubt for Friday night.

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Asked whether the club would risk pushing Haas to play if he wasn't 100 per cent, Walters shut that down straight away in his pre-game media conference.

"It's too early in the season for that, particularly with Payne and his knee," he said.

"He wasn't too good this morning, but we will see how he goes tomorrow. We will give him up until kickoff – but if he's not fit, he won't play. If he is fit, we will play him.

"He had a little bit of trouble with it today. It was more after the game [against the Tigers] that it swelled up. He didn't play big minutes, but it was a bit sore after the game and it hasn't settled too well.

"At this stage, I am expecting him to play."

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Walters confirmed rookie enforcer Ben Te Kura would be next in line should Haas be ruled out against the Tricolours, in what looms as a blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium.

Kotoni Staggs is also under an injury cloud, but the coach believes the strike centre should be available to take on the in-form Chooks.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 20: Kotoni Staggs is seen during a Brisbane Broncos NRL training session at Suncorp Stadium on September 20, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

"Kotoni was a little bit up and down today as well," Walters admitted.

"He's the other one that we still have a little bit of concern with. It's just his knee as well, it pulled up a bit sore … he is pretty tough, so I'd be expecting him to play as well."

Selwyn Cobbo and Ezra Mam have also been locked in to make their respective returns for Brisbane after missing last weekend due to injury. 

On the other side of the leger, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will be missing in action for the visitors due to a calf issue, in what would have been his 300th game for the Roosters.

"It's really minor but not good enough to play," coach Trent Robinson said.

"He was going to celebrate his 300 games for the Roosters, which is our highest honour. We savour that and you get a gold Rooster to do that but it won't be tomorrow night.

"We will have to save it for another week."

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