Skipper Darius Boyd has ruled himself out of Brisbane’s NRL qualifying final against Sydney Roosters on Friday night.
The Broncos had earlier held on to hope that Boyd could overcome a hamstring complaint suffered in their last-round win over North Queensland, and he was being given until the last minute to prove his fitness.
However Boyd ended speculation when he pulled the pin on Friday night’s clash and admitted he was not confident of returning next week.
“I’m not playing. Hammies, you can’t rush them,” Boyd told Fox Sports on Monday.
“It’s nothing new, I’ve been dealing with it for a couple of years now – it’s old age.
“On the advice of the medical staff, I’m getting physio this week and getting ready for next week.”
But asked if he was confident of returning next week, Boyd said: “I’d like to be but I wouldn’t say confident.
“You don’t want to push these things and hamstrings if they feel good you usually need to give them another week – we’ll see how we go.”
Halfback Kodi Nikorima is expected to replace Boyd at fullback with rejuvenated veteran Benji Marshall slotting into the halves with pivot Anthony Milford.
Besides Boyd, Brisbane must also negotiate the finals without hooker Andrew McCullough (knee) and Korbin Sims (broken arm).