Brisbane lock Corey Parker is to undergo surgery for a broken thumb which is likely to keep him sidelined for up to six weeks.
The veteran forward, who returned to Origin and national duties last season, carried the injury for much of Brisbane’s 28-26 NRL loss to North Queensland on Friday night.
He still finished with 33 tackles, led the hit-ups and kicked superbly with two sideline conversions in booting five from five.
The injury will rule Parker out of the early-season Test against New Zealand and give him little time to press for Queensland’s Origin side.
It also means coach Anthony Griffin will have to find a replacement for the rock-solid Parker, who’s kicked 379 goals in 239 games for the Broncos.
The goal-kicking job is certain to fall to halfback Peter Wallace, who has booted 34 goals and four field goals for Brisbane.
In better news for the Broncos, utility Ben Te’o, Parker’s likely replacement, has been cleared of his own thumb injury after having precautionary scans on Sunday.
