THE young NYC Under 20s Broncos have suffered a cruel blow ahead of their sudden-death clash with the NYC Under 20s Warriors in Townsville on Saturday night.
Gun fullback Paul Byrnes suffered a season-ending knee injury and underwent a full knee reconstruction today.
He sustained the injury trying to save a try in the Broncos gutsy' 36-24 Qualifying Final loss to the young North Queensland Cowboys U20s last Saturday evening.
The Broncos will now have to do it without their talented custodian, as they face their 2014 NYC Grand Final nemesis team from New Zealand.
There are also plenty of other U20s Broncos battling minor injuries.
But Broncos' Under 20s coach Craig Hodges said that was what playing through the Finals was about.
"Paul (Byrnes) had surgery today on an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in his knee," said Hodges.
"We have several others that are battered and bruised, but that is standard for this time of year."
In good news, big outside back Jonus Pearson will return from an arm injury.
He will now fill the void at Number One.
"We will have Jonus Pearson back this week and he will replace Paul," said Hodges.
"There will be a minor re-shuffle there that we will get organised, but we are all hands on deck at the moment."
The winner of Saturday evening's Under 20s Semi-Final up in Townsville will meet NYC Minor Premiers the Penrith Panthers in a Preliminary Final the following weekend.
Read more at
http://leagueunlimited.com/news/26933-broncos-lose-gun-under-20-fullback-byrnes#B6S9xXG5G4BGzSmb.99
