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Brisbane captain Sam Thaiday believes Queensland have enough front-row options to cover for teammate Ben Hannant, who has been ruled out of next month’s Sydney State of Origin clash with a torn calf.
Hannant hobbled off the field late in Brisbane’s 19-18 NRL loss to Parramatta on Friday night and faces up to four weeks on the sidelines.
Scans on Monday confirmed a grade-two calf tear.
Thaiday, one of Queensland’s front-row options along with Nate Myles, tossed up South Sydney’s Ben Lowe as a possible Origin bolter.
“He’s going well for Souths. He’s older and experienced and could slot into an Origin spot at a pinch,” said Thaiday of Lowe, who was part of an extended Maroons squad in 2010.
“I’ve had 10 on my back for the majority of the season so I could play there if need be.
“Who knows? Mal (coach Mal Meninga) might even pick Petero (Civoniceva) from the Queensland Cup to Origin! You never know.”
Fortunately for Brisbane, the news was better for veteran five-eighth Scott Prince who is only expected to miss Friday night’s derby against his former Gold Coast club with a mild hamstring injury.
Prince looked in a fair degree of trouble when forced off early in the first half against the Eels.
But the club’s medical staff didn’t feel the need to send Prince for a scan, convinced it was only a minor issue.
Brisbane’s loss to the Eels had critics questioning not just their premiership credentials but also whether they’d play any part in this year’s finals series at the back-end of a tough Origin campaign ahead.
The Broncos will likely lose Thaiday, centre Justin Hodges and forwards Corey Parker and Matt Gillett to Origin, leaving them exposed until the completion of the interstate series in July.
Thaiday said Brisbane had to make sure they had their heads right for Friday night’s game after the disappointment of the Eels loss.
“It’s a good challenge for us playing a local derby. It brings the best out in us,” he said.
Ben Hunt is likely to get the call up for the injured Prince.
Josh McGuire, who will enter an early guilty plea to a striking charge, is expected to replace Hannant in the front-row.
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