Brisbane’s NRL premiership hopes have been dealt a severe blow, with hooker Andrew McCullough ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
The Broncos’ worst fears were confirmed on Sunday, as scans revealed McCullough had injured both his anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in Friday night’s loss to Parramatta.
He will undergo surgery on Friday but is only considered “some chance” of being fit for the start of next season.
“The general recovery for this injury is seven to eight months so he could be in danger of missing the first few weeks of next season,” Broncos high performance manager Jeremy Hickmans said.
“However, Andrew is noted for healing well, and with his commitment to his rehab will give himself every chance of being back early in the year.”
The injury is a serious hit to coach Wayne Bennett, given McCullough’s reliable service out of dummy-half.
The 27-year-old has set up five tries this season and is second in the NRL for average tackles (44.8).
Playmaker Kodi Nikorima could shift to hooker, which would allow Benji Marshall to keep his role off the bench.
Alternatively, Travis Waddell wore the No.9 jersey in the only game McCullough has missed, through concussion, earlier this year.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Well Bennett isn't worried, if he is 'ever worried' by his demeanour??? He said that they have a few options, so lets listen to the great man and see. i would have thought, Nikorima is a good replacement for McCullough and has done a great job at 9 in the past and anywhere else that they have placed him.
Nat
Roar Guru
Ahhhhh Craaaaaaaap! Irreplaceable! I'd have Kodi for Granville-like spark and Benji on the bench. Waddell is not up to NRL standard IMO. Happy to have Oates back this week though.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Shocking news for McCullough and the Broncos. I really rate McCullough and he's going to be super tough to replace. I've lost Johnson, McCullough, Cordner from my SC draft team over the last month. Quality replacements are hard to come by in draft. SC classic team copping a battering too.
Albo
Guest
Huge blow to the Broncos finals chances now ! And a huge blow to my Supercoach team ! With a tough draw ahead, I can't see them clinching a top 4 spot . Looking more like Storm, Roosters , Eels & Sharks for the top 4 for mine. And the next 5 teams to battle out for the final 4 spots 5 - 8.
Gaz
Roar Rookie
Jai Arrow into lock, McGuire into dummy half. Rest as is.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Nikorima is great at the back end of halves at hooker but gets targeted too much when he plays hooker for the 80. Hunt's probably the way to go and it'd make him rely on his running game more
Emcie
Roar Guru
Hope thats how they play it
Stu
Guest
Agree with Tallis - karma as Blair goes for yet another cheap shot.
Kreig
Guest
Well, there goes any slim chance we had this year...
thomas c
Guest
Waddell would probably work hard for you, but i don't know if he has the distribution or attack. Nikorima hasn't played the level of minutes. You might look at ben hunt in the hooker role.(?) and bringing Benji in. They're unlikely to get the same level of defensive starch, but maybe an attacking strategy might compensate. I'd note their attack against the Eels was woeful, so they need to either patch things up defensively or score 20 more points a game.
Craig
Guest
Hunt at hooker and Benji into the halves. Nikorima off the bench.
Jara W
Guest
Well that's a whole lot of nope! Please don't try Waddell again. Interchange between Nikorima and Hunt. But either way.... Nope!