[sizeBroncos to battle on without defensive star Jack Reed[/size
NEWS LIMITED 12Dan Koch

Sports reporter

Broncos centre Jack Reed has been ruled out indefinitely by coach Wayne Bennett, with the chronic shoulder problems he has battled for the past five years becoming so serious his future in the game is in doubt.

Named on Tuesday to face the Raiders at Suncorp Stadium tonight for what has become a vital match for a spluttering Broncos outfit, Reed was a notable absentee from the team’s final training run at Red Hill yesterday.

Given the danger posed by Canberra’s right-side combination of Josh Papalii, Joey Leilua and Jordan Rapana, the loss of one of the competition’s strongest defensive centres could not have come at a worse time for Brisbane.

However, speaking after wrapping up what has been a short preparation for tonight’s match, Bennett said the decision to sideline Reed was made in the best interests of the player, who has endured shoulder surgery in four of the past five seasons since he debuted for the Broncos in 2011.

Reed will undergo yet another round of scans over the coming days, with Bennett admitting the centre was likely to need further surgery on his troublesome shoulder — having already had two full reconstructions on each and a further three arthroscopes.

Bennett said the fact the pain around the joint had not been fixed by the most recent operation was cause for concern about Reed’s capacity to handle the physical demands of the NRL.

“It’s been difficult for him and he’s at a point now where he’s in pain all the time,” said Bennett. “They’re going to do some more scans, maybe go in and have a little look at it and tidy up a few things in there but there’s no major reconstruction required.

“We’re just trying to get him some pain relief and make him a lot more comfortable. It’s not perfect now and it won’t be perfect because he has had a lot of operations on it but can we get it to a point where he can play and be pain free and all that type of stuff?

“If we can do that then it’s an easy decision; if we can’t and Jack can’t put up with the pain anymore then it’s another decision. That’s all for the future.”

How can he be a star centre when's he's only played for England for what, twice?

Because in the times he has played he has been a star. centre. It doesn't matter how many times he has played. Injury has been the main obstacle to him playing in the past.

Don't disrespect a great man.

Easy this for you!

Name a better centre playing in the english game who is better than Reed and qualifies to play for England?

Whilst you are at it name a half back better than Widdop.

You may struggle somewhat, due to the inanity of what the Superleague has created.

It's meaningless rhetoric. James Clare and omari caro are "stars" according to the Bradford press this week. I had to laugh.

Clare is a good player.

I'd rather have Clare around the squad the Hitchcox.

I'd rather have Clare then Hitchcox, flynn and Monnas, sadly he left when we have carney and denny , had the carney saga reared it's ugly head 4 months sooner, Clare would still be at Cas in think.

But is he really a " star"

I am dismayed by the callous indifference to the tragic fate of England born Jack Reed, as expressed by the posters on this thread

I'm no fan and I don't like the Broncos much, but Reed has been a very solid performer for them for the last couple of seasons. He seldom has a poor game and is indeed a very good defender, which is plenty enough to get him into Aussie good books, of course.

Reed's a very good player, just not quick enough to be in the very top echelon of centres. If it hadn't been for his injuries he'd have been an England regular for several years.

At best it sounds like his England career (if you can call it that) is over.

He will need to manage the issue every off season so I doubt he'll be turning out for us which is a real shame as he's a good player.

It now looks like England having to turn to Kallum Watkins and Daniel Sarginson to replace the Rt. Honourable Jack Reed.

Watkins isn't deserving of a spot.