Broncos expect late Warriors NRL inclusion

Brisbane are bracing for the possibility destructive Warriors weapon Konrad Hurrell could be a late inclusion in Friday night’s NRL clash despite reports a leg injury will keep him on the sidelines.

“We’ve prepared for him to be there so, if he’s there, it won’t be a surprise from our preparation viewpoint,” said Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin.

“Players want to be playing at this stage of the season and I’d think it would take a significant injury to stop him.”

The hulking Hurrell was reportedly wearing a moon-boot early in the week and given little chance of playing after hurting his leg during his three-try demolition of Gold Coast last weekend.

However, Hurrell – nicknamed “King Kon” for his unstoppable charges – is understood to be desperate to play even though he wasn’t named in coach Brian McClennan’s travelling squad.

If he doesn’t play, the Warriors will still welcome back another backline monster winger in Manu Vatuvei (knee), who’ll add further to their daunting size.

Brisbane will line up against the Warriors’ intimidating pack with a new front-row following the promotion of budding young prop Josh McGuire into the engine room alongside veteran Petero Civoniceva.

McGuire, a forceful and fiery customer, has been a standout performer in the absence of Brisbane’s State of Origin stars, and has earned his opportunity, according to Griffin.

He is being groomed to take over Civoniceva’s role next season and is tipped to play for Queensland and Australia in the future.

Civoniceva’s presence on the field will be a big bonus for Brisbane up against a bruising Warriors side who were able to get the better of them in round nine in Auckland in early May.

“That was a long time ago but they jumped us at the start and played with a higher intensity,” said Griffin.

“It was disappointing from our point of view and we have to address that on Friday night.”

Brisbane’s ability to shut down the Warriors’ second-phase play, which starts with Feleti Mateo’s dangerous offloads, will be critical.

Mateo came up with a couple of line breaks and some damaging offloads in that highly-physical 30-20 win at Mount Smart Stadium and Brisbane will have to restrict his impact around the ruck.

Griffin said this time of year was a good indicator of how teams were travelling.

“There’s nowhere to hide and the stakes go up significantly,” he said.

“It’s all about who can go up a gear at this time of the year now and put themselves in the best position heading into the finals.”

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