Huge boost for Broncos as Kevin Walters confirms Payne Haas and Adam Reynolds news

In a timely boost to the injury-ravaged Broncos, Brisbane coach Kevin Walters confirmed a quartet of injured stars are set to return in round eight against the Wests Tigers. While they aren't ready to go for this weekend's clash with the in-form Raiders on Saturday, prop Payne Haas (knee), winger Deine Mariner (back), captain Adam Reynolds (hamstring) and second-rower Brendan Piakura (ankle) are all expected to play next week.

"(Haas) will be right for next week," Walters said ahead of Saturday night's home clash with the Raiders. "Adam is running well, which excites me, and he will be right for next week.

"Jock (Madden) is in there again at half and he has been working hard on his game to get it right for us, so I'm looking forward to seeing how that develops tomorrow. Brendan looks like he will be good and Deine, so that's next week, but we have to get through this week first. We need a strong performance at home in front of our fans."

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Kevin Walters heaps praise on Xavier Willison and Pat Carrigan

While the Broncos have missed Haas' leadership and power through the middle of the ruck, a silver lining of his stint on the sidelines has been the emergence of Xavier Willison. Willison along with stand-in captain Pat Carrigan have been huge in Haas' absence and their efforts haven't gone unnoticed, with Walters singing their praises ahead of Brisbane's showdown with Canberra.

"Patty has been leading the pack, but he has been well supported by the other guys and this game is another great opportunity for those guys to excel at home," Walters said. "And just be very disciplined and doing the little things in the game like running hard and making your tackles and being effective... Canberra have a tough side and are very gritty, so it will be a good experience for our fellas."

Xavier Willison's rugby union dream turned into rugby league reality

Willison once dreamed of being an All Black but his life changed at just 15-years-old after playing his first ever game of rugby league. Willison was scouted by the Broncos as a teenager and fell in love with the sport.

"I was playing union and I'd never even played rugby league, because rugby league's not really big in New Zealand, and my mate asked me if I wanted to come," Willison said. "They needed numbers for a rugby league team and then I got picked up from there by Simon Scanlan at the Broncos.

"Growing up, I wanted to be an All Black. That was my dream. Sonny Bill was probably my idol for his defence, his hits and his offloads... Now my goal is to start for the Broncos and win a premiership." Willison is signed until the end of 2025 and the Broncos want him to stay and play the rest of his career at the club.

with AAP