Jack Bird’s shocking run of injury has continued with the Brisbane star suffering an ACL knee injury just days before their NRL season opener.
Moments after coach Anthony Seibold saluted Jack Bird’s triumphant return from a serious knee injury, the Brisbane star suffered a second ACL tear in as many years.
Broncos medical staff said Bird was likely to undergo surgery after scans confirmed their worst fears on Wednesday afternoon, just days before their NRL season opener.
Seibold had been full of praise for Bird before Broncos training on Wednesday after the former NSW star returned to career best fitness, earning first shot at the No.1 jersey in Friday’s derby clash with North Queensland.
Then disaster struck.
Bird’s left knee buckled underneath him in a tackle and he left the field in distress.
It is the same knee that required a reconstruction after he broke down in round nine last year.
“Rugby league is a cruel game sometimes,” Seibold said in a statement after scans confirmed the devastating news.
“Jack’s commitment to his rehabilitation has been unwavering in his return from his last knee injury.
“He has had a tremendous pre-season and ticked all the boxes required for a great start to the year.
“All of his teammates and the staff at the Broncos are devastated at the timing and nature of the injury.
“The club will do our best to help Jack in his recovery and personal wellbeing and provide him with everything he needs.”
Bird has been no stranger to injury, restricted to just 17 matches since moving from Cronulla to Red Hill before the 2018 season.
Yet the latest blow appeared to be the cruellest for Bird, and the Broncos.
“He’s really important to us. In some ways he is like a new recruit for us,” Seibold said before Wednesday’s session.
“The thing I like about Bird is that he has been resilient over the rehab process and had a hell of a pre-season.
“It is a well deserved (No.1) jersey for Birdy and all the hard work that he has done.”
Speaking to the media just days earlier, a rejuvenated Bird sounded so confident that he had finally ended his injury jinx that he joked he would not cut his questionable mullet until after round 10 this year.
“I haven’t got past round 10 the last two years so once I get past round 10 without an injury, I’ll cut it,” he said.
Jamayne Isaako – initially set to come off the bench – will now play fullback against the Cowboys.
It’s another injury blow for Brisbane who have also lost prop Matt Lodge (knee) and new captain Alex Glenn (hamstring), ensuring the reins will be shared by club debutant Brodie Croft and 19-game forward Pat Carrigan on Friday.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Apparently he has an infected disc in his back that medicos can't get sorted out ? Out indefinitely. In the past 4 seasons he has missed many matches due to nerve damage in his neck, a broken collarbone, broken hand, broken arm, ongoing osteitis pubis issue, and now this disc infection .
matth
Roar Guru
The injuries may actually give Seibold a longer rope
R N
Roar Rookie
Doesn't he have a form of arthritis which I assume requires medicines which may predispose him to injury. I feel for him but I think he should take a long hard look at whether long term this is worth it.
Walter White
Guest
The writing is on the door for the Broncs this season. Unless Darius pulls a blinder (which I doubt) they are in big trouble. Missing the eight is fast becoming a real possibility and the season hasn't even started yet.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Are some players just injury prone? I can recall Easts signing Brett Papworth from Rugby Union & he spent more time in hospital than on the field . The game is harder & faster these days however the professionalism with preparation & recovery is light years ahead of how it used to be.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Can't wait to see the uncut Mullet in a years time , huge blow for him and not fair at all. They could have done with his confidence. A few of their backs are either lacking in confidence or in the case of Darius a bit too optimistic about his own form.
Nat
Roar Guru
He might not have a choice - seriously.
Don
Roar Rookie
Darius not a chance? Or was last year too awful to ever see him at number 1 again?
Nat
Roar Guru
He's crook too I believe. I think it'll be Arthars who eventually gets the gig.
Nat
Roar Guru
It was Tom Dearden.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Yep. That 10th spot is looking better all the time and Seibold having one eye on Centrelink. I've been playing with the ladder predictor in NRL (thank goodness its back) and these guys could easily be running in the bottom 4 by round 5.
Don
Roar Rookie
I think they will opt for Jordan Kahu at fullback at some stage.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Am I wrong, and I'll accept it if so, but is training these days a bit over the top?? I played many years of rugby and league, and while I recognise the value of hard training, and I stretched myself with many others, if anyone tackled me like in a game it ended in punches. We pushed hard but the game was the place for full on physical, not to risk an injury on the training paddock. No wonder so many of these guys are tired, injured and worn by the end of the year.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Time for Jack to head home. He’s been cursed since he moved north.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
I tend to think nobody.. and I mean nobody, tackles Cam Smith hard in training...
The Barry
Roar Guru
I was looking forward to Bird at fullback...I might have to revise my fearless prediction of Broncos making the eight
Scott Pryde
Expert
Life ain't fair sometimes. Terrible news for Bird, who might struggle to come back from this one... Broncs in a spot of bother as well. Means Arthars or Isaako plays fullback, but Bird was going to be used in the forwards at some point I'd say... They are really skinny in the pack once you get past the starters.
Paul
Roar Guru
I wonder what this bloke has done to so displease the gods who manage rugby league? I'm no Jack Bird fan, but no footballer deserves the sort of luck with injuries this guy's had in recent years.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Bloody Hell. Poor JBird just can not catch a break after heading to Brissy. This is a terrible run of injuries, I really hope he can bounce back hard in 2021. Will be a big miss for the Broncos.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Terrible news for Bird and the Broncos - you wonder how the poor bugger can come back from this