The stage is set for Ben Hannant to make a last-gasp Queensland State of Origin audition in Brisbane’s must-win NRL clash with Wests Tigers on Monday night.
But Broncos coach Anthony Griffin expects injured Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah to steal the limelight with a surprise return.
Hannant has just one game to impress Maroons selectors before the side is named on Tuesday after finally overcoming a calf tear that has sidelined him for a month.
He has been injected into the Broncos’ starting pack, nudging Josh McGuire to the bench.
Griffin didn’t hesitate thrusting Hannant into the firing line for Brisbane but baulked at the mobile prop’s Origin chances.
“He holds his condition very well and he has been working very hard,” he said of Hannant.
“He’s got a pretty good motor. It suits us for him to have a stint straight off and then get McGuire on.
“(But) I am not interested in Origin. I am worried about Monday night. If they play well they give themselves a (Origin) chance.”
Hannant’s return provides another option for Queensland selectors, who are believed to be mulling over the future of incumbent Maroons starting forwards David Shillington and Ash Harrison ahead of game two at Suncorp Stadium on June 26.
Griffin was also sweating on the fitness of Farah, who has a fractured cheekbone.
“We haven’t ruled out Robbie Farah playing,” Griffin said of the NSW hooker, who is expected to miss the NRL game but be right for Origin II.
“The type of injury he has got is very similar to (Brisbane’s) Jack Reed had, and he came back in two weeks.
“We are preparing for them to be at full tilt with everyone on the field. They are going to be desperate to win the game.”
Well, maybe not as desperate as the Broncos.
Griffin admitted he was feeling the pinch after Brisbane’s run of four losses in five games including three straight.
After slipping to 11th on the table and four points outside the eight, Brisbane appears to be the team who needs a victory the most.
“There’s always heat on any coach,” Griffin said.
“But I haven’t done anything different from a month ago when we were winning and the players don’t suddenly become bums.
“We are not where we want to be and that is frustrating, but we have a lot of faith in each other.
“It’s not about what we say now – it’s about what we do tomorrow night.”
Apart from Farah, Griffin expected centre Chris Lawrence (hamstring), lock Liam Fulton (knee) and fullback James Tedesco (leg) to return from injury for Wests.
For Brisbane, Alex Glenn (hamstring) has been cleared while Lachlan Maranta replaces winger Jordan Kahu (broken thumb).