Qld Teams - Titans take extras to Canberra

Gold Coast Titans coach John Cartwright is looking for a change of fortune against the Raiders this weekend following back-to-back losses.

He has named forwards Bodene Thompson and Will Matthews on an extended bench for the traditionally tough away clash to Canberra on Sunday.

The Titans have never won at Canberra Stadium, in three attempts, and will need to turn around a two game losing streak.

Gold Coast, following a bye, were well beaten (16-30) at home last night by the Roosters.

Centre Joseph Tomane should return from a hamstring injury on Sunday and has replaced Josh Graham (sternum) in the only change to the team.

With both Queensland and New South Wales likely to face injury changes for Origin II, this weekend is the last chance for the likes of Greg Bird, Luke Bailey, Brad Meyers and Anthony Laffranchi to impress selectors.

Last week The Titans signed Broncos utility back Steve Michaels for the rest of this season through to 2012.

Michaels is expected to bide his time with the Burleigh Bears Queensland Cup side.

Flying Folau leaving Broncos

Israel Folau today officially confirmed he would leave the Brisbane Broncos, and rugby league, at the end of the season.

Folau signed a multi-million dollar, four year deal with new AFL side Greater Western Sydney (GWS) and becomes the second star Bronco, after Karmichael Hunt, in less than a year to defect to the code.

Debate is likely to rage this week as to whether Folau should be named in the Queensland side for Origin II on June 16.

That side will be announced next Tuesday with dual International Lote Tuqiri capable of replacing Folau should the selectors choose to omit him.

There is no rule stating any player leaving the code be ruled ineligible for Origin selection with the decision to be made by the Queensland selectors.

Folau, with five tries in the Broncos three consecutive wins, will have no problem retaining his spot in his club side for the rest of the season.

He scored the first try last week as the Broncos went on to beat Cronulla (20-4) in cold and wet conditions in Sydney.

Coach Ivan Henjak has stuck with the same 17 for what should be a hard match against the second placed Manly Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval on Sunday.

Hooker Andrew McCullough played nearly an hour in his return from a pectoral injury last week and will again share the duties with Ben Hunt.

Prop Nick Kenny continues to struggle with a calf injury and after a number of late withdrawals in recent weeks has not been named for the Manly game.

Utility Gerard Beale, who has filled in at hooker and across the backline numerous times this year, is out for at least four weeks, possibly 12, with a knee injury requiring surgery.

Rookie front rower Mitchell Dodds signed a new two year deal with the Broncos yesterday as he continues to build on a strong debut season.

With three wins on the trot plus the bye last weekend the Broncos are now back in the top eight for the first time since Round 1.

The Broncos sit in 8th on the ladder but with just four wins from 13 games at Brookvale Oval, face a tough task this weekend to continue their winning ways.

Thurston fights swearing suspension

North Queensland Cowboys skipper Johnathan Thurston will fight a one game suspension for detrimental conduct.

Thurston was charged following an expletive-ridden outburst at referee Jason Robinson in the tense final stages of the Cowboys 24-20 loss to Manly last round.

The Queensland halfback also labelled Robinson ‘man of the match’ after a correctly ruled forward pass call cost his side a late try and probable victory.

He has been named in the Cowboys side to play South Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Monday but first must face the judiciary via video link tomorrow night.

Even if he loses and is suspended, Thurston will miss just the one game and will play for Queensland in Origin II.

In other team changes winger Michael Bani returns to replace John Williams while Will Tupou, who replaced Bani against Manly, has been retained.

Young forward Dane Hogan replaces Isaak Ah Mau as the 18th man for the trip to Sydney.

The Cowboys last played in Sydney a month ago and recorded an impressive win over the Roosters.

Willie Mason and Luke O’Donnell are thought to be in the frame for New South Wales with the side for Origin II to be named at halftime in the Cowboys match.

With just three wins heading into the halfway mark of the competition, North Queensland are rapidly losing touch and must turn their season around quickly if they are any hope of playing finals football.

The Cowboys and Souths are live on Fox Sports from 7pm Monday.

Gold Coast start Sunday Football live on Fox Sports from 2pm with the Broncos to follow on Channel Nine from 4pm, one hour after the match kicks-off.

Gold Coast Titans vs. Canberra, Sunday 2pm, (Fox Sports, live)
Preston Campbell, Kevin Gordon, Clinton Toopi, Joseph Tomane, David Mead, Greg Bird, Scott Prince (c), Luke Bailey, Nathan Friend, Michael Henderson, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Matthew White, Brad Meyers, Sam Tagataese, William Zillman, Bodene Thompson, Will Matthews (two to be omitted).

Brisbane Broncos vs. Manly, Sunday 3pm, (Channel Nine, delayed 4pm)
Josh Hoffman, Antonio Winterstein, Alex Glenn, Israel Folau, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (c), Peter Wallace, Shane Tronc, Andrew McCullough, Lagi Setu, Ben Te’o, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Ben Hunt, Matt Gillett, Mitchell Dodds, Ashton Sims.

North Queensland Cowboys vs. South Sydney, Monday 7pm, (Fox Sports, live).
Matthew Bowen, Will Tupou, Ashley Graham, Willie Tonga, Michael Bani, Michael Morgan, Johnathan Thurston (c), Matt Scott, Aaron Payne, James Tamou, Scott Bolton, Willie Mason, Luke O’Donnell. Interchange: Anthony Watts, Leeson Ah Mau, Carl Webb, Antonio Kaufusi, Dane Hogan (one to be omitted).