Brisbane hooker Andrew McCullough says Jake Turpin will return from suspension and slot straight into their starting side for Saturday’s crucial NRL clash with Canterbury.
After serving a two-game dangerous contact ban, Turpin is expected to replace Sean O’Sullivan and be named at halfback on Tuesday for a clash the Broncos must win to lock up a top-eight finish.
While McCullough admitted he felt for O’Sullivan, he said the Broncos would welcome Turpin back in the No.7 jersey.
“Firstly Sean did a tremendous job in there, certainly did plenty of defensive work,” he said.
“It was one of those tough decisions I am glad I didn’t have to make but (coach) Anthony (Seibold) has made that decision, but Jake should bring plenty of energy and he is well rested so that is good.”
Before the regular season finale, the seventh-placed Broncos are all but guaranteed a finals spot with 25 competition points.
However, they can drop out of the top eight if Cronulla and Wests Tigers (both 24 points) play out an extra-time draw in their clash on Sunday.
Both the eighth-placed Sharks (+33pts) and ninth-ranked Tigers (+6) threaten to leapfrog the Broncos (-41) on superior points differential if scores remain level at Leichhardt Oval.
But McCullough said the finals equation was simple for the Broncos – win and they are in.
“We don’t want to rely on other results (to play finals). I have done that before and it is not the best; destiny is in our hands,” he said.
However, he said defeating the Bulldogs in Sydney will be easier said than done.
Canterbury finally fell out of finals calculations when their four-game winning run was snapped by last round’s 15-8 loss to North Queensland.
“The Bulldogs have had a tremendous two or three months and nearly got right back into the competition,” McCullough said.
“(Coach) Dean Pay was under a bit of pressure at the start of the year but got the team going well.
“They have certainly defended really well and are doing a lot more with the ball lately which is something we will have to be wary of.
“They will be a tough ask.”