Queensland centre Justin Hodges has been scratched from Brisbane’s line-up but Manly still hold hope Blues back-rower Anthony Watmough will play through the pain barrier in Sunday’s NRL clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Broncos coach Anthony Griffin had little hesitation in ruling Hodges out in a safety-first move to guard against aggravating his ankle problem.
The veteran centre finished Wednesday night’s State of Origin series-opener, playing solidly in Queensland’s 12-8 loss, but his injury history prompted Griffin to take conservative approach.
“He’s still a bit stiff and we have to be a bit cautious with him,” the coach said on Saturday.
“He’s just come back half a dozen weeks ago from a major injury and he’s carrying a minor injury at the moment so we just have to be smart with the way we manage him.”
However, Corey Parker and Matt Gillett will definitely back up after Origin I, joining the returning Sam Thaiday in a full-strength Broncos pack.
Griffin admitted the pair wouldn’t have played if the game was scheduled in Brisbane’s regular Friday night timeslot.
“With people like Justin, who is an obvious risk, we have to be smart with them but Gillett and Parker both want to play so they’ll play,” Griffin said.
“Sunday is great for us. The extra couple of days (break) helps.
“It was a brutal game.”
Watmough, one of the many NSW stars on the Blues’ casualty list, remarkably hopes to carry his lingering biceps injury into Sunday’s battle.
The second-rower took part in the Sea Eagles’ final training session on Saturday morning and might fly north and be given until kickoff to prove his fitness.
Manly already must overcome the loss of star halfback Daly Cherry-Evans (knee) but they have Kiwi five-eighth Kieran Foran making his long-awaited return to partner Jack Littlejohn in the halves.
With Cooper Cronk (broken arm) ruled out of the rest of the series and Cherry-Evans in doubt for Origin II on June 18, Broncos playmaker Ben Hunt has rushed into contention for the Maroons’ No.7 jersey.
Hunt can make a statement with a big game on Sunday but Griffin is guarded about whether the youngster is ready for the step up.
“That’s someone else’s decision,” he said. “He’s only really started playing halfback at the NRL level.
“I wouldn’t want to put that expectation on him at the moment.”
Porgera PNG
Guest
hodges can switch to back bcause he has been played several times so far. barba drop to the bench as a utulity role. qld maroons centre greg move to 58 and Will Chambers/ Dale copley to replace at centre. thurston move to halfback.
Judge Holden
Roar Guru
Our paths seem to cross more often than not. I'm quite partial to calamari myself.
dallas
Guest
Your kidding john.. watch hodges last game for the broncs. He set up two tries and took about 20 hitups as he usually does. He might be getting old and slowing down a bit but he is still the busiest centre in the game. He is like an extra forward on the field with amount off meters he makes
John Hutchinson
Guest
No coincidence the Bronco's played the way they started the season. Hodges has been the weak link since coming back !!! Copley was brilliant early season in the centres and this allowed Maranta (who has been incredibly safe and reliable) to keep his place on the wing. This means that the Broncos play as a team and at the moment, the whole, far out weighs the sum of the parts.
Scrubbit
Guest
Agreed. Very hard for a HB who has a very different style to cronk to come in and play well and it's even harder for the team. The fact he was training at 2nd row and hooker doesn't help either.
dallas
Guest
Lets hope it doesnt come to that.. I cant wait to see DCE Play game 2 with a full weeks prep. And thaiday running off him on the right edge. Qld are going to be alot better
dallas
Guest
Matai is flat out getting through a game without goin off holding his shoulder or wrist. Hes not half the player hodges is. Atleast hodges injuries are legitimate and dont just disappear the following week like matai. He would have to be one the biggest marsh mellows running around in the NRL
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Ahhh John Locke we meet again
Judge Holden
Roar Guru
I'd love to see Hodges make calamari out of you Squid.
Judge Holden
Roar Guru
Cherry Evans will be fine unless he re-injures himself. Cronk may well be back for Origin 3 if Queensland can force the decider. If the worst came I'd consider playing Smith at halfback and Friend at hooker. None of the others are up for Origin yet. Sandow is the best of that lot but his defence is terrible.
dallas
Guest
Chris sandow, rob lui, ray thompson, michael morgan and anthony milford. Thats about all qld has behind cronk, thurston anr DCE. ben hunt made australian schoolboys and won toyota cup player of the year at 18. Now this is his first full season playing in his preferred position of half back and not in a hooker/utility role. and so far so good in my opinion considering his halves partner hoffman is basically just a ballrunner and does no organising. Give Hunt another 2 or so years and he will be of origin standard.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
True. Would love to see Matai finish off his hamstrings once and for all
Scrubbit
Guest
Hodges was never going to play. DCE is in no doubt for origin 2 and wasn't far off playing today so I'm not sure where that's coming from. Having said that though I think Thurston would move to 7 and someone would be brought in at 6 if that were the case.
Fil
Guest
One less grub on the field although I was looking forward to matai lining him up
AdelaideWill
Guest
Really Ben Hunt? that is the leave of depth we have in the QLD team?
Dave
Guest
As a Manly fan would've rather Hodges played. Slow and bitter old man. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.