Broncos plunged into injury crisis after Jordan Riki and Delouise Hoeter go down at training
The Brisbane Broncos are counting the cost of a catastrophic training session which has left them in an injury crisis.
It’s understood star backrower Jordan Riki rolled his ankle during training on Tuesday and is in danger of missing the Broncos’ NRL clash with the Dolphins on Friday night.
Meantime, squad member Delouise Hoeter is set to miss the entire season with a knee injury suffered in the same training session.
Hoeter could require surgery for the injury which threatens to cut his career short, given he is off-contract at the end of the season.
The two players join Deine Mariner (back), Adam Reynolds (hamstring) and Payne Haas (knee) in the medical room as the club prepares for the local Brisbane derby.
If Riki does miss this week’s game, Broncos coach Kevin Walters will have to shift the magnets around to cover the loss.
But he will still try to get up for the game, with a fitness test planned for Thursday’s captain’s run.
Walters is already planning contingency plans in case he does miss though.
“Jordan did his ankle at training. I’d say he is unlikely to play this week,” Walters said.
“Jordan was a bit better in the afternoon (on Tuesday), we’ll run him on Thursday at the captain’s run and see where he is at.
“Jordy is very doubtful.
“I don’t think he will play but it’s not my ankle and Jordan seemed a bit more confident in the afternoon, but we have to wait and see how he goes at the captain’s run.
“If he’s not fit enough, we’re not going to risk him. It’s just not worth it.”