Brisbane have received a boost, with injured second-rower Brendan Piakura to travel to the US with the team ahead of the Broncos' round one NRL clash with the Sydney Roosters.
Piakura suffered a low-grade strain to his medial collateral ligament in the 46-20 trial win over North Queensland on Sunday.
He got through 90 minutes of rehab running on Wednesday.
With 12 days until the season-opening clash at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the Broncos are optimistic Piakura could be available to take his place in the starting side against the Roosters.
The Broncos will train in Los Angeles before heading to Las Vegas, with the 21-year-old to go through his paces with the rest of the squad.
The relatively minor nature of Piakura's injury was a huge boost to the Broncos, with the youngster slated to fill the big shoes of Kurt Capewell who joined the Warriors in the off-season.
Piakura's line running is of the highest class and he showcased that skillset against the Cowboys on his way to two tries.
If Piakura is fit to play against the Roosters he will start alongside Jordan Riki who had a career-best season in 2023.
Riki had off-season shoulder surgery but is fully fit now and was optimistic about lining up alongside Piakura in Vegas after watching his teammate go through his rehab work on Wednesday.
"I reckon Brendan will be sweet. He is a tough guy and wants to put his best foot forward," Riki said.
"We are extremely lucky to have such a professional medical staff here at the club. I know they are doing their best to look after him.
"They did a very good job with me in the off-season with my shoulder. I am very keen to get out there for round one."
Riki said Piakura had taken his game to a new level in 2024.
"(He) has really stepped up," Riki said.
"Sadly 'Capes' went to the Warriors, and the leadership group and Kevvie Walters sat down with Brendan and said he probably needed to roll his socks up a bit.
"He is hitting (personal bests) in the gym and with fitness sessions. He is owning his role and that's what we need him to do on the edge.
"The first 10 or 15 minutes in that (Cowboys) trial, he was very strong. He was killing it."
