We have a huge game tonight against the Broncos. While coming up to Brisbane is not a trip that strikes fear into us we know we are in for a tough game.

I always like playing the Broncos up here because no matter what you get a big crowd.

To add to the degree of difficulty there are a lot of reports suggesting Darren Lockyer will return to the Broncos side. Locky is a quality player and he will give them some spark.

We have our own smiling assassin back with Krisnan Inu slotting in out on the wing. I think Inu will be primed for a big return and, as for him playing on the wing, I think it’s just a way for Michael Hagan to ease him back into first grade.

So much for what they say about the Queensland weather. At the moment it is raining up here and we are preparing as if the conditions will be wet tonight, which means we have to lock up the footy pretty tightly.

I think it’s a game we can win. We’re not too far away from playing our best footy and if we can produce that then we are a chance tonight.

Having said that I want to win in a way that is convincing, not by leading by 16 and letting Brisbane back in. We want to play better then them, dominate the game and show we are a force. It’s getting to the stage where we must win more games.

There has been plenty of news surrounding league and Parramatta this week and I want to comment.

If Tim Smith goes to the UK I would have no problem with it. Tim needs to do what is best for him and if he goes there that is his own choice.

As for the idea of lowering the salary cap and players taking a pay cut, I am totally opposed to it and I will not be taking a pay cut!

I think before that idea is even seriously discussed other avenues need to be explored. As to what they are I am not sure, but I don’t think it’s fair on players to suddenly expect them to have their salary slashed.

With Michael Crocker signing on with Hull, Ricky Stuart has said he basically shouldn’t get a crack at the Aussie team for the World Cup and I agree, even though being a second rower I have a vested interest. The general rule is when you sign on to play in the UK you are then out of sight and out of the selection game.

Selection for the second Origin game is on Tuesday and with Ben Cross and Anthony Laffranchi reportedly struggling with injuries I will be looking to push my claims against a Broncos team full of banana benders. But if I get picked, I get picked, if I don’t, I don’t.

Off the field Bonnie and I had great weekend without the kids up in the Hunter and while I didn’t get the chance to play any of the golf courses I found a Tyrell’s Shiraz I was a bit of a fan of.

Archie got to see The Wiggles during the week and loved it, although he still loves Thomas the Tank Engine more. In exciting news Buster is about to start walking so now I’ll have to have eyes on them at all time.

I’ll make sure I watch the Super 14 final this weekend and hope Timana Tahu has a great game. I think both Union and League need to see off the AFL, particularly with them looking at starting a western Sydney franchise.

Hindy

I attended Origin on Wednesday and while I enjoyed seeing my beloved Blues get over the line, the game seemed to be missing something.
 
I think it was missing the big hits and the attitude which has made Origin footy famous right from the start. In that respect the game felt a bit flat for mine.
 
Sometimes [...]

We had what can be described as a good win on the weekend out at ANZ Stadium. I wasn’t really in the mood for such a close game on Sunday and would have preferred to beat the Dragons by thirty odd, but to their credit they never went away and made us work to get [...]

Things are looking up at the moment as I went through last weekend undefeated after two games. I was pumped up to make my Country debut and, while I didn’t get as much game time as I would have liked, I enjoyed representing Country.
 
I also realise in rep games that no one really gets the [...]