The State of Origin star was not named to start for the Cowboys in their round two clash.
Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo has been touted as a potential big-name signing for PNG’s incoming NRL club as fresh details emerge around Queensland Origin star Jeremiah Nanai’s shock axing at the Cowboys. Cobbo’s future at the Broncos has been in doubt ever since Kevin Walters admitted salary cap pressure could force players out.
Reece Walsh, Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan have all signed contract extensions with the club and their deals have taken up a large portion of the salary cap. New coach Maguire has also expressed his desire to retain centre Kotoni Staggs having named him as part of the leadership group.
This has left the likes of Cobbo in limbo at the Broncos. While he will most likely be offered a new deal, it is not expected to be close to what he could attract on the market. Former Broncos star Corey Parker has suggest Cobbo could demand close to $1 million a season if he entered the open market. There will be no shortage of clubs chasing Cobbo’s signature.
Despite Cobbo earning praise from Maguire on the weekend for his efforts, it appears there are talks the winger could be the “first big-name signing” for the incoming PNG side. Speaking on Triple M Radio, reporter Ben Dobbin claimed he’d received mail that Cobbo was high on the list to make a big-money deal with the newcomers.
“I got some mail yesterday, that Selwyn Cobbo is being potentially tossed up as one of the faces, big money signings of PNG. What we do know is it is going to be tax free,” Dobbo said on Tuesday. “My mail is that Cobbo will sign a one year deal at Brisbane and potentially it looks like he could go over to PNG.”
PNG’s inclusion in the 2028 competition will certainly threaten the stocks of current NRL clubs, but it will also hand plenty of young talent a chance to showcase their talent. If Cobbo is approached and keen to join, he will only have to extend his deal at the Broncos for one season before making the move.
Selwyn Cobbo’s Broncos future in limbo
While PNG could be a destination for Cobbo, it appears he is facing an uphill battle to earn a boosted contract in Brisbane. Speaking on SEN radio earlier this year, AAP reporter Gould pointed to the fact that Staggs was recently named in the Broncos’ leadership group to suggest he’s the priority to re-sign.
“I don’t think it’s the time where the Broncos are going to be throwing a whole lot of money at Selwyn Cobbo to keep him,” Gould revealed. “I think Selwyn Cobbo would want to stay at the Broncos given his family situation that he has close by in Cherbourg, but I don’t see that there’s a rush for it. I’ve got no doubt that Staggs would be their No.1 priority. He’s in their leadership group, he’s always wanted to be a Bronco.
“I think Cobbo is the one who might move on if one of them did. But I don’t see that as something Michael Maguire is looking at right now (so early in the season). I think it’s about ‘let’s get these guys to fire (across the first five or six rounds) and then I’ll make my call on them.”
Todd Payten’s claim after Jeremiah Nanai axing
Nanai was one of the biggest names omitted from any NRL team on Tuesday as coach Todd Payten made the decision to send him back to Q Cup. Manly hammered the Cowboys 42-12 last Saturday with the right edge of Manly’s attack destroying the Cowboys edge.
The Queensland second-rower only ran for 16 metres in his team’s defeat, but it was his defensive efforts that raised concern for fans and the coach. Nanai missed three tackles in his 58 minute run, but also only made 23.
And Payten claimed Nanai needed time to work on his defensive efforts, before returning to the side. “Jeremiah is an elite attacking player but needs to improve some defensive parts of his game,” Payten said on the club’s website after the team lists were revealed.
“He’s going to get some time in the Q Cup, which was not an easy decision but I felt it was important for the group that if we want to improve as a team, defence is first and foremost.” This is a huge fall from Nanai having made eight State of Origin appearances for Queensland. He took part in all three games last year as part of Billy Slater’s side in the series defeat to NSW. Nanai was one of the Cowboys’ best attacking weapons last year having scored 13 tries on the edge.
