Andrew McCullough locked in race against time to be fit for Round 1

RECOVERING Brisbane hooker Andrew McCullough is battling against time to be fit for the Broncos’ season-opener against St George Illawarra.

Andrew McCullough is seen during Brisbane Broncos training at Purtell Park in Brisbane, Wednesday, February 21, 2018. The Broncos are travelling to Papua New Guinea to play a trial game against the PNG Hunters in Port Moresby on Saturday. (AAP Image/Darren England) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

RECOVERING Brisbane hooker Andrew McCullough is battling against time to be fit for the Broncos’ NRL season-opener against St George Illawarra. And if he is passed fit, another potential obstacle looms in the form of utility Todd Murphy.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Port Moresby clash with PNG Hunters, Brisbane’s Test backrower Matt Gillett has admitted they do not know when McCullough will return from a knee reconstruction.

McCullough may not be fit to start the season.

McCullough insisted in pre-season he is on track for the March 8 round one clash with the Dragons and has backed himself to play even if he does not feature in any trials.

But Gillett said on Wednesday, before the final trial, Murphy was poised to grab the No. 9 jersey for their season-opener.

Murphy impressed at rake in Brisbane’s trial win over Gold Coast at Toowoomba last weekend in McCullough’s absence.

Gillett believes Murphy has a chance to nail down the job for round one in Saturday’s trial, with a question mark still over McCullough. “Todd is probably known for his skills in the halves but he’s shown a lot of talent there at hooker,” Gillett said.

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“It’s something he can grab now.

“We are not too sure when he (McCullough) will come back so Todd slotting into No. 9 is pretty good.

“He is pretty sharp out there, pretty fast, and he has a kicking game as well which you need at hooker.

“Murphy has a point to prove and round one is not too far around the corner.” McCullough broke down in round 21 last year when his leg buckled under teammate Adam Blair in a tackle against Parramatta.

Gillett, Josh McGuire, Alex Glenn and playmaker Anthony Milford will all have their first hitout of the year for Brisbane against the Hunters. But skipper Darius Boyd (hamstring) is still sidelined with McCullough.

Originally published as Andrew McCullough locked in race against time to be fit for Round 1