Andrew McCullough ready to start in boost for Broncos ahead of Cowboys clash

A HEAVY defeat to the Dragons raised serious questions about Brisbane’s halves and misfiring forwards, but there was one positive from the Kogarah debacle.

Andrew McCullough is ready to step up for the Broncos. Picture: Annette Dew

WAYNE Bennett will thrust Andrew McCullough into his starting side for Friday’s blockbuster derby against the Cowboys in a bid to stifle North Queensland’s all-star forward pack.

The Broncos will start underdogs in the Suncorp Stadium showdown after being burned 34-12 by the Dragons in last Thursday’s NRL season opener.

The defeat to St George-Illawarra raised serious questions about Brisbane halves Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima while Bennett turned the blowtorch on his misfiring forwards.

But one positive from the Kogarah debacle was McCullough emerging unscathed in his return from a knee reconstruction.

McCullough, 28, is considered to be the heart-and-soul of the Broncos and his season-ending knee injury in July last year was a dagger to Brisbane’s premiership campaign.

McCullough’s defensive influence against the Dragons was so prominent he topped Brisbane’s tackle count (33) despite playing only 46 minutes from the bench after Sam Thaiday started at hooker.

The Broncos have been carefully managing McCullough’s return, however the feisty No. 9 told Bennett he was ready to start at dummy-half in the 2015 grand final rematch.

“He will start,” Bennett told The Courier-Mail.

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Andrew McCullough made a successful return from injury for the Broncos.

“We will play it by ear (whether he plays 80 minutes) but he is certainly starting.

“He wanted to start after the game. He was happy.

“It was his first game and he was happy with the way it all went. He got some confidence out of it.

“That’s what we were trying to achieve with him.”

The Cowboys’ all-star starting pack, led by Test stars Matt Scott, Jason Taumalolo and Jordan McLean, were excellent in last Friday’s defeat of Cronulla, while interchange forwards Scott Bolton and Coen Hess were also among North Queensland’s best.

Brisbane’s engine room face a stern test against their Cowboys counterparts but the sight of a relaxed McCullough in the Broncos’ sheds was one ray of hope to emerge from their insipid 34-12 loss to the Dragons.

Jason Taumalolo and the Cowboys pack will prove a tough test for the Broncos. Picture: Evan Morgan

Most NRL players returning from a knee reconstruction seek mental comfort in applying heavy strapping around their rebuilt knee.

Not McCullough. He felt no need for strapping. There was no ice pack in sight after putting his left knee through its first serious test since last July, when he snapped his ACL against Parramatta in a freak collision with former teammate Adam Blair.

“The knee pulled up really well. There were no mental scars, so I’m right now,” McCullough said after his successful comeback.

Andrew McCullough is ready to step up for the Broncos. Picture: Annette Dew

“I didn’t feel the need to strap it, that was pretty pointless in my mind.

“I didn’t feel my knee at all. I got into some situations where I tested it running and tackling and I didn’t feel it at all.

“I’m not sore at all, no ice was needed, so that’s a good sign and I’m ready for another long year.”

McCullough’s elevation to the starting 13 means less for Bennett to worry about after young forward Jaydn Su’A accepted a one-match suspension for a shoulder charge.

The likes of George Fai, Sam Tagataese and Todd Murphy are potential replacements for Su’A, with Bennett reluctant to blood teenage sensation Payne Haas.

Originally published as Andrew McCullough ready to start in boost for Broncos ahead of Cowboys clash