Cameron Bukowski, an uncapped hooker, is set to benefit from a significant injury crisis at the Brisbane Broncos, as coach Michael Maguire deals with the loss of all four of the club’s top 30 contracted dummy-halves. Bukowski was initially named for Wynnum Manly’s Queensland Cup match against the Blackhawks in Townsville but did not feature less than 24 hours after both Cory Paix and Blake Mozer were sidelined during the Broncos’ 35-31 loss to the North Queensland Cowboys on Friday.
Paix was taken off for a head injury assessment, which was classified as category one by an independent doctor, ruling him out of next week’s clash with the Tigers due to the NRL’s 11-day stand down policy. However, this decision left Maguire and the Broncos medical team puzzled.
“That in itself is something we’re going to have to review. Paixy ran off, passed the test and got a cat-one – I don’t quite get that,” Maguire said.
“Paixy will be fine for next week, he ran off and was ready to run back out again. It was an external call, so I’ll go through the right channels with the doctors and review that one.
“Talking to Paixy, he can’t believe it himself.”
Mozer, who made his first NRL appearance since round 27 in 2024, suffered a broken jaw – an injury he also sustained last year – when he tackled Jason Taumalolo’s shoulder. He is expected to be out for six weeks.
With Ben Hunt and Billy Walters both recovering from knee injuries, Bukowski, signed on a development deal, could become the last hooker standing if Paix is officially ruled out. However, both Maguire and vice-captain Pat Carrigan have expressed confidence in the 20-year-old’s readiness to debut.
“I think so, I’ve had a good conversation with a few of the boys, and one thing at our club that we’re pretty proud of is the next man up [mentality],” Maguire said.
“Cam’s been battling away and fighting and working hard in the background at training, so an opportunity might be around the corner for him.”
“In the middle you’re obviously going to get targeted, but he gets a pretty good apprenticeship with Payno [Payne Haas] and Xavier Willison – big boys who are running at him,” Carrigan added.
“Obviously, our backs are against the wall a little bit, we’re not getting much luck in terms of injuries, but we pride ourselves on the work we put in … and if he gets an opportunity I’m really excited to get to run out with him.
“He would’ve worked his whole life to get an NRL debut, and if that’s to be we’ll do our best to support him.”
Although Bukowski has yet to showcase his attacking flair in 2026, last year was a breakout season for the rising star, who was extended on a development contract by the Broncos. The Villanova College product played 23 games in his first full season of senior rugby league, scoring seven tries and providing seven try assists. His defensive stats have been impressive, averaging 35 tackles per game this season while missing just five.
If selected for the Broncos’ clash with the Tigers, Bukowski will have a golden opportunity to prove he deserves a top-squad deal, especially as fan favourite Walters faces uncertainty.
Walters was the heartbreak story of 2025, playing at five-eighth and off the bench before suffering a ruptured ACL in the Broncos’ qualifying final victory over the Canberra Raiders. The 32-year-old is not expected to return until around August and will be out of contract at the end of the campaign.
Hunt has indicated he is leaning towards playing another season rather than retiring at the end of 2026, while Mozer is under contract until the end of 2027, and Paix has signed a two-year extension.
Brisbane is unlikely to carry five hookers on their books, potentially linking any success Bukowski achieves with the long-term future of Walters. However, Paix remains confident there is a place for the popular utility.
“He attacks really well, he’s great around the group, he’s a real team man, and he defends well, and he can play a number of positions which is pretty handy for us,” Paix said.
The Broncos will also need to fight at the NRL judiciary for Carrigan to be available, after he received a two-game suspension (with an early guilty plea) for a high shot on Cowboys centre Tom Chester, resulting in a sin bin.
Carrigan will join fullback Reece Walsh (fractured cheekbone) on the sidelines, with Adam Reynolds also racing to recover from a groin issue.
