In a huge boost to the Brisbane Broncos, dynamic second rower Brendan Piakura is set to play in Sunday week’s NRL preliminary final.
The 23-year-old was initially feared to have suffered a season-ending cheekbone fracture in Brisbane’s extra time win over the Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium.
However scans on Tuesday revealed otherwise and after seeing a specialist it’s understood the talented forward will now be available for selection.
It’s welcome news for a Brisbane pack that will already be without talismanic leader Pat Carrigan after the Maroons star accepted a one-game ban for a careless high tackle on Raiders forward Morgan Smithies.
MORE: Canberra forward clears up tooth loss rumours after Carrigan hit
Currently in his fifth NRL season at Red Hill, 2025 has been a heavily disrupted year for Piakura.
However despite missing multiple games in NRL concussion protocols, the former Broncos Academy forward has still appeared 19 times.
In yet more good news for coach Michael Maguire, hulking Broncos forward Xavier Willison has also been cleared to make his return after requiring surgery for a forearm fracture sustained against the Rabbitohs back in Round 22.
The Broncos host the winner of the Bulldogs-Panthers semi final at Suncorp Stadium in week three of the NRL finals—with the winner of that game advancing to the premiership decider in Sydney on October 5.