GI: ‘It’s Not About Hodges’

Although his lower back is making the task harder than initially thought, Justin Hodges isn’t the focus of this weekend’s historic all-Queensland grand final.

Speaking at the launch of Powerade’s ION4, Queensland Origin teammate Greg Inglis claims Broncos coach Wayne Bennett

“Wayne doesn’t use one person as inspiration for the team and that’s what has made him so successful as a coach,” he said.

MORE: How the heat will affect the grand final

Although he admitted he would be “haunted for life” if he wasn’t able to play in the Broncos’ decider against the Cowboys, Hodges is on the same wavelength.

“It is just sore,” a frustrated Hodges said at the grand final press conference late Thursday.
“Enough questions about my back. I’ll be right.”

Hodges injured his back late in the first half of the Broncos victory over Sydney last week and he will be needled for the decider against North Queensland.

Two other injured stars is where Inglis sees the most intriguing match-up of the game. While Matt Scott and Sam Thaiday’s effectiveness at playing a platform for the outside backs will heavily influence early proceedings, Inglis says it’s the fullbacks that will be the talking point.

“Darius (Boyd) and (Lachlan) Coote have had injury issues this year but both offer a second ball-playing options to the halves and have that devastating ability to cut through the middle of the park from an off-load.”

With a temperature in the mid-thirties expected for Sunday, heat will be a factor in the game but Inglis expects its effect to be minimal. “Although it’ll be hot it’s the humidity you have to watch out for,” he said. “The players won’t be lacking in motivation and the only way I can see the heat fatiguing any of the players early is if the forward packs fail to get any type of roll on.

“On the day, everyone is in the same conditions and it just comes down to mental toughness.”