‘Ban disclosed as prominent figure races against time.’

Amid uncertainty surrounding Payne Haas’s availability for the Broncos’ upcoming showdown against the Panthers, one thing is clear about Brisbane’s preparation for the rematch of last year’s grand final: there’s a strict rule against discussing it.

When asked about the Broncos’ defeat in the final game of 2023, neither prop Corey Jensen nor hooker Billy Walters entertained such inquiries, asserting they were “not permitted to discuss that” while focusing on how to compensate for the absence of their two key players on Thursday night.

Halfback and captain Adam Reynolds has succumbed to a low-grade MCL strain, seen engaging in light runs on the sidelines at Red Hill, with Jock Madden poised to step into the No.7 role.

Meanwhile, Payne Haas is in a race against time to recover from a knee concern, having left the field early during training, with rookie Xavier Willison taking his place.

Brisbane can find solace in the fact that Panthers enforcer James Fisher-Harris has been sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Jensen, set to mark his 100th NRL game, expressed confidence in Willison’s ability to shoulder a greater responsibility within the team.

But can the Broncos triumph over their grand final adversaries without Haas?

“Absolutely,” Jensen affirmed. “We have faith in everyone’s ability to step up. While Payne is a crucial part of our team, we trust that whoever fills in will fulfill their role for the team.”

“Willison has consistently performed admirably whenever called upon. He’s a robust presence on the field with a strong work ethic. Despite his youth, he possesses remarkable talent and is eager to contribute,” Jensen added.

Anticipation for the upcoming clash naturally revolves around the 2023 climax, where Nathan Cleary’s masterful performance secured an unexpected victory. However, Brisbane refused to engage in such discussions.

“I’m unable to comment on that matter,” Jensen stated firmly. “We’ve moved past that; it’s off-limits for discussion.”

“There’s no point dwelling on last year,” Walters concurred. “While there’s no official ban, we prefer not to dwell on it.”

Jensen has since focused on solidifying his position as Thomas Flegler’s replacement, showcasing his trademark no-nonsense approach with a strong performance against South Sydney, running for 129 meters. Despite his absence in the second half of the win, Jensen remains determined to make an impact, especially as he approaches his 100th game milestone.