Brisbane Broncos rookie Lachlan Maranta handled being thrown into the deep end against North Queensland Cowboys

SUCH was his concern about Lachlan Maranta's ability to back up against the Cowboys, Broncos coach Anthony Griffin considered resting the rookie.

SUCH was his concern about Lachlan Maranta's ability to back up against the Cowboys, Broncos coach Anthony Griffin considered resting the boom rookie from Friday night's clash.

Eighty minutes later, Griffin was glad he went against his better judgement.

The 20-year-old grandson of Broncos founding father Barry Maranta celebrated a try on his NRL debut last week against the Roosters and continued his rise with a strong performance against the Cowboys.

In an epic contest, the Cowboys peppered Maranta's right wing but the tyro responded superbly. He showed nerves of steel to take two high balls under pressure in the first half before saving a certain second-half try by batting the ball dead as North Queensland chasers converged.

Griffin later revealed he considered giving Maranta a rest after his testing debut against the Roosters, only to have his hand forced by the withdrawal of his Origin big guns, including strike centre Justin Hodges.

"He has been thrown in the deep end a little bit," Griffin said. "I was tempted not to play him tonight because I knew it would be a massive step up on last week on what he'd have to do, defending kicks and with Johnathan Thurston coming at him.

"But when we got a few more injuries with Corey and the rep guys not there, I left him there and he did a great job."

With Gerard Beale joining the Dragons next season and Jharal Yow Yeh on the comeback trail from an ankle compound fracture, Maranta is another handy addition to Brisbane's backline stocks.

Broncos centre Jack Reed praised the cool head of Maranta.

"Lachy Maranta had an absolute blinder, he and Brendon Gibb certainly stepped up," Reed said.

"Obviously we miss our Origin players when they don't come back but the young guys like Lachlan brought a new enthusiasm.