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Cooper Cronk jetted in to Storm training to give makeshift playmaker Nick Meaney a boost leading into Saturday’s Round 1 danger game against the Wests Tigers.
Melbourne are without Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Chris Lewis and Tui Kamikamica due to suspensions while Munster’s back-up five-eighth Cooper Johns is also out with a shoulder complaint.
Meaney, who has played on the wing and fullback in his 65-game NRL career at Newcastle and Canterbury, will make his Storm debut in the No.6 jersey alongside Kiwi halfback Jahrome Hughes.
The 24-year-old said he had not played in the halves since high school.
He spent the pre-season training at fullback with Ryan Papenhuyzen in doubt for the season opener with an ankle injury however the gun No.1 has trained strongly this week.
“When Cooper [Johns] did his shoulder the conversation came up about me going to the halves,” Meaney said on Wednesday. “I’ve spent about two weeks there … I’m still adapting to the system we have here at the Storm. Defensively I feel really comfortable but I’m still learning the combinations with the players around me.
Cronk played 14 seasons with Melbourne before switching to the Sydney Roosters and winning premierships in 2018 and 2019.
While he’s on the Roosters books as an assistant, the former Queensland and Test half still works as a consultant with the Storm and stepped in to help Meaney with his attack.
“We’ve had Cooper Cronk in this week helping and it was really good to get inside of how he thinks, his approach to it, his little mindset when he’s attacking the line,” Meaney said.
“It’s been really helpful to myself.
“Being a fullback, I’d like to think my running game is probably my strongest suit but I’ve got guys around me who are quite handy – Kenny Bromwich and Juzzy (Justin Olam) and Xavier (Coates) on the edge so getting the ball to those guys is important to let them do their thing. “A gold balance of both will help me fit in nicely.”
Adam Reynolds poses during the launch of the Brisbane Broncos 2022 NRL Season jersey. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Broncos coach Kevin Walters said it was not worth the risk of rushing Adam Reynolds back for Friday night’s season opener against the star recruit’s old club South Sydney.
Reynolds, who contracted COVID-19 last week, could have been selected after he passed the return-to-play protocols but Brisbane did not want him playing in Round 1 with such a poor preparation.
Walters has selected his son Billy and veteran Albert Kelly as his halves for the showdown with Souths and whichever player shines on Friday is likely to partner Reynolds in Round 2 when they head to Sydney for a clash with Canterbury.
“We back our club’s medical advice 100 per cent and that advice is that asking Adam to play is too much of a risk to his health so soon after being diagnosed with COVID,” he said.
“At the end of the day, this is just one game – a big game, yes, but just one game in a Broncos career that will see Adam play many great games for our club.”
Walters is not bothered by claims of nepotism after selecting his son ahead of Tyson Gamble, who played 13 matches last season, for the five-eighth’s role.
The 28-year-old playmaker has turned out in only 12 NRL games in his career at Melbourne and the Wests Tigers and has battled a series of serious injuries in recent seasons.
“We just need Bill to go out there and play the football I know he’s capable of. We’ve got a lot of faith in Billy, especially his defence,” he said.
“As long as he gets his defence right he’ll have his work cut out for him on that left-hand side for the Broncs. If he can get that right, and I’m sure he will, he’ll be in for a big performance, and a proud performance, as well.”
Warriors playmaker Chanel Harris-Tavita is on the lookout for a new club with the Dolphins a potential option for the talented 22-year-old.
Harris-Tavita, who will fill in for the suspended Reece Walsh at fullback in Round 1 against the Dragons on Saturday, is on the outer at the club with Shaun Johnson and Kodi Nikorima chosen as the starting halves.
“I couldn’t answer that (where I’ll be playing in 2023) myself,” Harris-Tavita said on SENZ Mornings. “Obviously, it’s something I need to consider moving forward, but for now my focus is on this season. “I reckon if I play my best footy and reach my potential as a player, I think that contract talk will take care of itself.”
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