Broncos hooker Andrew McCullough to use Maroons’ pain against Raiders

WHILE Queensland’s first defeat since 2014 has taken an emotional toll, Broncos and Maroons rake Andrew McCullough says that pain can be put to good use against the Raiders.

Andrew McCullough after Queensland’s Game II defeat. Picture: Getty

BRONCOS hooker Andrew McCullough is looking to turn his Origin pain into Brisbane’s gain on Saturday.

The Maroons No.9 is still overcoming the disappointment of Queensland’s series loss to NSW on Sunday, in what was just McCullough’s second game in the Origin arena.

But while Queensland’s first defeat since 2014 has taken an emotional toll, McCullough says that pain can be put to good use.

The Broncos will host the Raiders at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday and McCullough wants to channel his disappointment towards helping Brisbane to back-to-back wins, following their Round 15 victory over the Sharks.

Andrew McCullough after Queensland’s Game II defeat. Picture: Getty

“It won’t be hard (to switch focus),” he said.

“I’d like to think (the loss) will help. Losses can be taken pretty hard but you just want to get back out there and do well for your club … you just want to be playing quickly.

“You can be back in a winning circle and things are going well again.

“(This year) has been up and down. A good win against the Sharks last week and now had a loss this week.

MONEY: Why the Cowboys couldn’t keep Ponga

PART III: Freddy promises a nightmare on Caxton St

“You never know what’s around the corner. It goes back to hard work and making sure the body is right during the week.”

The Broncos are sitting comfortably in eighth place now, ranked four points ahead of ninth-placed Canberra.

McCullough wants more consistency however, given how close the competition has been this year.

Andrew McCullough carts it up in Sydney. Picture: Getty

The rake was satisfied with his performance on Sunday, which saw him take on more running duties in the first half.

He said it was something he had to do in Game Two but his confidence in Origin was still growing after he made his debut in Game One.

“I needed to (run more),” he said of his extra involvement in Game Two.

“That was probably a confidence thing being back and knowing how the game’s going to go. The boys provided some good play-the-balls for me.

Alex Glenn makes way for Tevita Pangai Jr in the starting side. Picture: AAP

“I was going to run if the opportunity was there and I started to do it a little bit more. I just wanted to contribute and do my best.”

McCullough and his fellow Origin players Josh McGuire and James Roberts have all been named for Saturday, alongside Tongan forward Joe Ofahenague.

Alex Glenn has shifted to the bench with Tevita Pangai Jr to start in the back row.

Watch every game of every round of the 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. SIGN UP NOW >