Has Selwyn Cobbo’s Brisbane Broncos signing been sealed after signing Grant Anderson and Josiah Karapani?
The 23-year-old has been called into Brisbane’s line-up for the past two weeks – relegating Cobbo to the Queensland Cup – scoring four tries in the pair of triumphs to help get the club’s premiership tilt back on track.
“My family say there’s a massive difference since they last saw me, just my professionalism, my preparation and everything, and I know that’s been from the help of the staff and coaches,” Karapani said.
“I’m slowly finding my feet with this team … I want to be more competitive on the field and aim for that one goal, which is the premiership.”
Those recruitment moves have placed further stress on Cobbo’s career, having played for Wynnum Manly for the past three weeks.
The six-time Maroons star has been linked with moves to the Dragons and Cowboys, despite Broncos coach Michael Maguire’s hopes of retaining his services in the face of a daunting salary cap juggling act.
The signatures of Karapani and Anderson follow last week’s contract extensions for Adam Reynolds, Kotoni Staggs and Blake Mozer, with marquee men Payne Haas, Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam and Pat Carrigan already locked in on lucrative deals.
Broncos prop Corey Jensen said Cobbo had not dropped his head since being axed, despite the looming likelihood he will be forced out of Red Hill.
“He’s been really great, to be honest, everyone around here really loves Selly. What he’s going through at the moment, that’s just on him and what he has to get right for himself,” Jensen said.
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“We’re all around him, and we support him, so whatever he has to do for him and his family is what’s best for them.”
Broncos hooker Billy Walters said Cobbo was “definitely in our top 17” players.
“He’s a special player, Selly,” Walters said.
“He’s got a lot more talent than I did, so I’m sure he’ll have no dramas finding his way back into the NRL and causing havoc again.”