Walters keeps the faith as injured stars near return

The Broncos big-guns are closing in on a return from injury but coach Kevin Walters is confident his side has what it takes to bring down the high-flying Raiders without the cavalry arriving this week.

Brisbane host Canberra without their two key leaders in skipper Adam Reynolds and star prop Payne Haas, with Walters counting on improvements from the players named this week to get the job done against the third-placed Raiders.

“(We are) 1-17, same as last week, so it's really good for us,” Walters said. “The combinations are still coming with this group, and it's good that they're getting that opportunity.

“Certainly, our discipline has got to be a lot better. Just little things like offside from kicks, sloppy around the ruck and the play-the-ball. All those little discipline areas we need to be better this week, which we've spoken about and also in our drills are training this week as well, that's a big one for us to do.”

The Raiders forward pack, although also missing some of their own stars, will present a challenge to the under-strength Broncos with Joseph Tapine, Josh Papali’i and English import Morgan Smithies starring for Ricky Stuart's side so far this year.

“They're a really good side, well coached and they've got some really good players in their in their group as well," Walters said. 

“They've had a good start of the season, but we're up for the challenge.

“It will be a great contest, and one for us to really look forward to, especially our forwards. Canberra have got a tough side, very gritty so it would be a good experience for our forwards.

“Patty’s [Pat Carrigan] been leading the pack, but he's been well supported by a lot of guys in there and tomorrow night, it'll be a great opportunity for those guys to really excel at home and just be very disciplined.

“Also in just little things in the game, like running hard, making your tackles, being effective, be a good help for the team.”

In good news for the Broncos, as well as Reynolds and Haas, boom youngsters Brendan Piakura and Deine Mariner are also on track return against Wests Tigers in Round 8 following a successful return from injury for Reece Walsh.

“Brendan looks like he'll be good too and Deine … but that's next week," Walters said. “We'll get through this week and (have) a really strong performance at home again.

"It's really exciting for us and particularly our fans as well; they should be right next week. But that’s next week; we have got a big game in front of us tomorrow night with the 17. I'm very comfortable with that team this week and the improvements in that 17 is what we we're looking for tomorrow night.”