Andrew McCullough will clash with Jake Friend in what is being billed as a State of Origin audition on Friday at Suncorp Stadium.
But in the wake of Queensland captain and hooker Cameron Smith’s sudden representative retirement, McCullough’s Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett insists his charge has nothing left to prove.
The former Queensland mentor says McCullough and Sydney Roosters veteran Friend were “the two contenders” to take Smith’s place for the June 6 Origin opener.
But he said McCullough’s 10-year NRL career would be the determining factor, not one performance on Friday night.
“He doesn’t need a test tomorrow night; he’s played over 200 games,” Bennett said of the 223-game Bronco workhorse.
“That’s the best qualification you can get for Origin.
“He’s very, very good, been a wonderful player at this club and hope he gets his opportunity.”
Bennett’s ninth-placed Broncos are 5-5 this season and missing a host of international experience with Alex Glenn, Jordan Kahu, Josh McGuire and Matt Gillett all on the injury list.
The Roosters, led by scheming half Cooper Cronk, will provide another test in Brisbane after the Broncos were stung by Daly Cherry-Evans’ resurgent Manly last weekend.
“They’re playing some pretty fair football; their halves will be on their game so we will have to be good defensively,” Bennett said.
“It’s always a good contest.”
STATS THAT MATTER
* Brisbane has outscored the Roosters 49-6 in the past four second halves at Suncorp, holding them scoreless in the second half in the past three matches at the venue.
– The Roosters have scored the equal most tries from kicks this season (10) alongside the Storm while Brisbane have conceded the most from kicks (15) this season.
– The Broncos are also trying to avoid conceding 20 points or more in five straight home matches for just the second time in the club’s history.