RUGBY LEAGUE: Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin was quick to dismiss an injury scare after star Aboriginal centre Justin Hodges went down in pain during a training session on Thursday.
STATE OF ORIGIN: Queensland coach Mal Meninga says he won’t dabble in mind games despite naming a 20-man roster for next week’s State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium.
RUGBY LEAGUE: He’s already been the world’s best halfback but Queensland teammate Justin Hodges believes Johnathan Thurston is destined to end his career as one of rugby league’s great five-eighths.
RUGBY LEAGUE: Star Brisbane centre Justin Hodges is in some doubt for Friday night’s NRL showdown with premiers Manly after limping off the training paddock on Thursday with a foot injury.
RUGBY LEAGUE: New Gold Coast recruit, Indigenous superstar Jamal Idris agrees it’s time to silence critics and dominate rugby league games like champion Aboriginal centre Greg Inglis and his hero Justin Hodges.
RUGBY LEAGUE: : Aboriginal player Willie Tonga is resigned to never being a first-choice centre option for either Queensland or Australian representative rugby league sides.
RUGBY LEAGUE: They’re on course for a shuddering collision on Friday night but fiery NRL rivals Justin Hodges and Steve Matai will need to keep their cool, says former Manly and Queensland centre Chris Close.
RUGBY LEAGUE: Brisbane centre Justin Hodges has escaped punishment for his controversial tackle on St George Illawarra winger Brett Morris in Saturday night’s NRL semi-final.
No NRL sledging for Cooper-Hodges
RUGBY LEAGUE: Silence – nothing speaks more about the mutual respect between veteran centres Matt Cooper and Justin Hodges.