Qld Teams - Broncos still without Lockyer

Broncos coach Ivan Henjak has refused to rush Darren Lockyer back for Friday’s high stakes clash with the Warriors.

In a game the Broncos must win to control their own destiny, Henjak has backed his young troops to bounce back from the 44-18 thumping in Newcastle last week.

The squad leaves for Auckland on Wednesday and while Lockyer may make the trip, he is unlikely to play at this stage.

Lockyer has missed the last two losses due to a painful rib cartilage injury with the club banking on him returning within two weeks for the Finals.

However a loss to the seventh placed Warriors will likely mean an eighth-place showdown with the Canberra Raiders at Suncorp Stadium on Friday week.

In the only change to the squad prop Nick Kenny returns to a five man bench.

Kenny injured his shoulder against the Cowboys three weeks ago and successfully returned in the Queensland Cup last week.

The match kicks off at 6:05pm Queensland time and will be broadcast on Channel Nine delayed from 7:30pm.

Titans eye home final

On the back of five consecutive victories the Gold Coast Titans can secure a top four finish with a win over Cronulla in Sydney on Saturday night.

The Titans came home strongly against the Roosters in their 23-14 victory last night to sit one win behind the Dragons in second position on the table.

Only two losses and other results can see the Titans slip below fourth but a win over the lowly Sharks will also keep Gold Coast in prime position for a top two finish.

Preston Campbell missed last night’s game with a hamstring injury but has been named for this weekend.

If passed fit he will return to fullback with William Zillman back to the wing replacing Jordan Atkins.

Another victory this weekend will make the Titans the first side in 2010 to record six consecutive wins.

Three teams, the Broncos, Roosters and Warriors, also managed five consecutive wins at various stages in the season.

The match kicks off Fox Sports Super Saturday live from 5:30pm.

Cowboys could help Brisbane

North Queensland could greatly assist their Bronco cousins with victory over Canberra on Saturday night.

The Cowboys travel to the nations’ capital and if they play spoiler, could effectively end the Raiders hopes of pipping the Broncos for eighth spot.

If Brisbane defeats the Warriors on Friday night, Canberra would have to down the Cowboys this weekend then beat the Broncos next week to steal eighth spot.

In a season to forget for the Cowboys they could gain some motivation knowing they have a chance to end the Raiders season.

North Queensland slumped to their 17th loss of the season last week when they conceded three tries in six minutes allowing the Bulldogs to run out 22-20 winners.

Willie Tonga suffered a groin injury in the loss and will be replaced by Ashley Graham for the Raiders match.

Graham moves in off the wing with Michael Bani recalled to the flank.

Aaron Payne will join Grant Rovelli in the halves with Clint Amos likely to take his place on the bench.

The game will be available live as a Fox Sports Viewers Choice option from 7:30pm Saturday.

Brisbane Broncos vs. Warriors, Friday 6:05pm AET, (Channel Nine, delayed 7:30pm).
Josh Hoffman, Antonio Winterstein, Alex Glenn, Israel Folau, Jharal Yow Yeh, Corey Norman, Peter Wallace, Shane Tronc, Andrew McCullough, Ben Te’o, Matt Gillett, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker (c). Interchange: Ben Hunt, Josh McGuire, Mitchell Dodds, Scott Anderson, Nick Kenny (one to be omitted).

Gold Coast Titans vs. Sharks, Saturday 5:30pm, (Fox Sports, live).
Preston Campbell, Kevin Gordon, Steve Michaels, Clinton Toopi, William Zillman, Mat Rogers, Scott Prince (c), Luke Bailey, Nathan Friend, Matthew White, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Michael Henderson, Brad Meyers, Greg Bird, Bodene Thompson.

North Queensland Cowboys vs. Raiders, Saturday 7:30pm, (Fox Sports, live).
Matthew Bowen, Michael Bani, Ty Williams, Ashley Graham, John Williams, Grant Rovelli, Aaron Payne, Matt Scott, Anthony Watts, Willie Mason, Scott Bolton, Leeson Ah Mau, Ben Harris. Interchange: Clint Amos, Nick Slyney, Carl Webb, Isaak Ah Mau.