The Broncos have suffered an early setback in their bid to bounce back from their disastrous premiership defence with Josiah Karapani banned for the first two rounds of the 2027 season.

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Karapani plead guilty to multiple driving offences earlier this year and while he avoided the axe from the Broncos, the NRL has imposed a two-game ban on the winger.

It means Karapani will miss the opening fortnight of the new season. The 24-year-old has also been hit with a $1,500 suspended fine and will be required to complete education and training courses.

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The Broncos confirmed the NRL’s sanctions in a statement on Monday, while adding that no further punishment from the club will be considered given Karapani was stood down in Round 18 last year as a result of the matter.

Karapani was stopped by Queensland Police in June after he was detected speeding at almost 20km over the limit and later registered a blood alcohol reading of 0.037.

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The Broncos winger also received fines for failing to display his P plates and driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle.

It came after Karapani was fined and handed a one-month ban from the Fortitude Valley safe night precinct after an altercation outside a venue in March.

Karapani was not charged for that matter or required to attend court.

Deine Mariner and Antonio Verhoeven are likely to line up on the wing for the Broncos in Round 1.



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