Brisbane skipper Darius Boyd has made the brave call to pull out of Friday night’s knockout NRL semi-final with Penrith at Suncorp Stadium due to a hamstring injury.
Brisbane had been sweating on Boyd after he missed last week’s qualifying final loss to Sydney Roosters and looked set to get the all clear when he completed the majority of Thursday’s training session at Suncorp Stadium.
However, Boyd still made the tough call to withdraw from the sudden death clash.
Kodi Nikorima will start at fullback for Boyd with veteran Benji Marshall remaining in the halves with Anthony Milford.
“He won’t play tomorrow night. It was his call,” Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett said.
“He just doesn’t feel like he will be at his best.
“He’s not running at full speed. He’s not at that place where he is not thinking about it all the time.”
Bennett said Boyd was no guarantee for next week if the Broncos overcame the Panthers on Friday night.
“He’s always been honest and he is a perfectionist,” Bennett said of Boyd’s call to withdraw.
“If he doesn’t feel like he can do his best I would rather that (pull out) than him going out tomorrow night and letting everyone down.
“But he’s no guarantee for next week.”
Bennett said he was never tempted to reshuffle his backline again despite veteran half Marshall’s quiet effort against the Roosters last week.
Bennett ruled out repeating last week’s tactic when he started David Mead at fullback and replaced him with Nikorima after the first 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, bench forward Tevita Pangai Junior also succumbed to a hamstring injury on Thursday.
Jara W
Guest
That's a bloody lot of questions about the Panthers attack. Don't think anyone is doubting whether they'll get over the line. The big question you're missing is can they stop the broncos from racking up 30 plus points.
Matt
Guest
Is there anyone else on this entire continent who also thinks the Broncos are a busted unit - no Boyd, no Sims, no Pangai Jr, Kahu on one leg, Milford a busted shoulder, and Panthers charging like bulls? My guess is, no, but I also would question, what have people been watching all season? Do they think Panthers have not noted Milford's lack of defence especially on line? Do you think Cleary will give the kicking and goal kicking to someone else? Is Cartwright not going to get the ball away? Are Edwards and Mansour not going to get the Broncos on the back foot each time they hit it up? That's a bloody lot of 'no's' if you're all meant to be right
Craig
Guest
I'd say Pangai Junior is a bigger loss than Boyd. I really hope Milford spends some time at fullback.
Chook
Guest
Damn shame.....