Brisbane had some welcome news this morning when star forward John Asiata was cleared of any severe shoulder injuries.
Asiata was one of two Broncos rushed to hospital after sustaining a neck/shoulder injury in a severe collision with Eels forward Keegan Hipgrave on the first day of the 2021 season.
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The former Cowboy had only five touches of the ball in his Broncos debut before collapsing and being dragged off the field and transported to the hospital.
The Broncos were 16-0 at the start of a new era under Kevvie Walters before injuries and weariness caught up with them.
Star winger Xavier Coates injured his neck when diving for his second try, and prop Matt Lodge suffered a hamstring strain.
Both of those injuries should be assessed later today.
Jack Bird tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during a training session for the Brisbane Broncos, just two days before their NRL season opener against the North Queensland Cowboys.
Bird’s knee buckled underneath him in a tackle at the club’s Red Hill camp in Brisbane, just moments after Broncos coach Anthony Seibold celebrated Bird’s dramatic return to full fitness.
It was the same knee that required reconstruction after Bird went down in round nine last year, and he is slated to miss the entire NRL season after an MRI revealed an ACL tear.
Bird, who was named to start at full-back against the Cowboys on Friday night in Townsville, will visit a specialist, with surgery being the most likely option.
“Rugby league can be a cruel game,” Seibold remarked in a statement.
“In his return from his previous knee injury, Jack’s commitment to his rehabilitation has been unwavering.” He had a fantastic preseason and checked all the boxes for a strong start to the season.
“He had trialed well in the full-back position and was looking forward to playing in the first game of the season.”
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