According to Kevin Walters, Brisbane needs to find a long-term solution to retain striking centers Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo, even if it means lowering their demands for compensation.
November 1st marks Cobbo and Staggs’ free agency, and they are essential to the Broncos’ aspirations of contending for NRL championships on a regular basis.
Cobbo has been excellent since moving to center in 2024 and has proven that he is capable of playing all five positions in the back five.
In the first match of the State of Origin series, Queensland defeated NSW 38–10 thanks to a standout performance by the 22-year-old who came off the bench.
Since making his debut in 2018, Staggs, 25, has played regularly for the Broncos and has represented NSW.
They have both acted as Australian representatives. Coach Walters of the Broncos stated that he had no plans to witness the two of them sabotage opponents. Walters stated, “I’d expect to hang on to both.”
“We need to figure out how to make it happen. Both of them are talented athletes who attended the Broncos academy.
“They are both going to demand a lot of money, but what we need to do is find a compromise with both those players where they are staying here and playing in a great side and a great club, and taking a little bit less money possibly, but staying here and being successful.”
As a player for the Broncos, Walters won five titles. During the 1990s, he was a member of a team where colleagues took wage concessions to maintain a strong team.
The famous couple, he suggested, might be ready to follow suit. “If you have the ideal setting for them, I think so. Both Selwyn and Kotoni are true Broncos,” Walters remarked.
“To retain both is the goal. As the coach, that’s what I want to accomplish. It will not be easy, but then rugby league isn’t easy.
We must figure something out.” Winger Corey Oates won’t be available for Friday night’s away game against South Sydney for the Broncos.
Due to a knee injury, the veteran was forced to retire. Josiah Karapani, a versatile player, will take his spot in the starting lineup.