The Broncos’ 2024 campaign has been labeled a “disaster” amid rumblings. NRL powerbrokers are planning a shake-up to the current State of Origin schedule.
As it stands, Kevin Walters’ team sit 13th on the ladder and are about to blow their finals chances just a season after being 20 minutes away from a premiership.
For veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield, Origin has been the key factor in Brisbane’s demise, with four key players removed from the club this season.
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He also pointed to the Bulldogs and Storm, who he said have avoided sidelining their key players for the representative showcase.
“What I’m saying with Origin is that they (Storm) have only picked two players, Grant and Coates, and Brisbane have had a big chunk of their salary cap,” Rothfield said on NRL360.
“(Pat) Carrigan, (Payne) Haas, Reece Walsh and (Selwyn) Cobbo. I start talking about the integrity of this competition law when Brisbane gives up $3 million of their salary cap.
“For such a long period of comp. Look at Canterbury, they were on fire and they had one player.
“It’s because of Origin (the Broncos’ slump). What I’m saying is that Melbourne is on fire because they’ve only had two players (in Origin) while Canterbury have only had one.
“It cost Brisbane a place in the eight.
“I go on the basis that Origin is taking away the integrity of the NRL competition and it should stop because it is not fair competition.”
Rothfield further revealed that NRL powerbrokers plan to submit a new representative schedule to the ARLC this off-season.
That schedule could include women’s Origin matches as well as Test matches, with NRL competition potentially suspended for three weeks.
“I’m sure they’re planning it and some options will go to committee at the end of the year,” Rothfield said.
“I think there will be a change in capacity. It will either be a standalone Origin, we could be looking at Monday Origin.
“Three weeks ago, about twenty players couldn’t make a backup. If you play it on Monday, they have a week to recover.”
However, according to Brent Read of The Daily Telegraph, the Broncos have “deeper problems” and suffered another loss to the Dragons in Round 19.
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Walters was also seen giving his disappointing outfit an all-time spray after the clash that marked their sixth defeat in a row.
If the Broncos make the finals they will need to win six of their last seven games, but Read doubts their ability to reach the top eight.
“It’s been a disaster, Braith to be honest. You could blame Origin for the players being out, but you look at a team like Melbourne or Penrith,” Read said.
“They’ve managed to keep winning without those guys, so I don’t think that’s a good excuse.
“I’m baffled by it, I can’t put my finger on it. It is more than Origin that has influenced them.”
NRL360 presenter Braith Anasta also echoed Read’s views, slamming the idea that Origin had had a negative impact on the Broncos and the overall competition.
“Until the weekend the quality of the competition was excellent. I’m going back to Melbourne, no (Cameron) Munster and no (Ryan) Papenhuyzen,” said Anasta.
“They have missed Origin players and numerous injuries. Look at Penrith, they haven’t had Cleary there, players coming in that we’ve never heard of.’
