Wary Walters puts boot into Broncos’ attack

Murray Wenzel | April 14, 2023

Adam Reynolds may have lost a kicking duel with a barefoot Brendan Piakura but his coach has declared him fit for Brisbane’s clash with Gold Coast.

The halfback’s ankle was injured when caught under a tackler in last round’s loss to Canberra.

But the Broncos captain trained on Friday and has been cleared to face the Titans in Robina on Saturday.

Reynolds will hope his radar improves though.

His reliable boot failed him in an end-of-training kicking challenge won by back-rower Piakura, who was nailing conversions from the sideline.

“He’s fine, right to go,” Brisbane coach Kevin Walters said of his key man.

“Every member of the whole squad is important but he takes a lot of responsibility and been great for us this year.”

Brisbane (5-1) sit on top of the ladder but Walters is wary after the side’s first loss of the season, demanding more ruthlessness against a Titans (3-2) team fresh off a valiant defeat of St George Illawarra.

“We do need to bounce back, straight away,” he said.

“Creating opportunities but not converting … that will be a big focus.

“100 per cent and we’ve spoken about it, our attack is not where it needs to be.”

The Titans will be boosted by the return of veteran playmaker Kieran Foran, who has formed a potent left-edge partnership with backrower David Fifita.

“I thought he was playing some good footy last year when he was being criticised,” Walters said of former Bronco Fifita.

“We’re aware of Kieran’s skills as well, it’s about our right edge being very good defensively.

“I’m not going to tip Dave up on how he goes well; we know he’s good player, he’s got a Titans jersey on tomorrow night and we have to tackle that.”