Josh Hoffman banished as Boncos coach Griffin cracks whip

UPDATE: COREY Norman has been named as Josh Hoffman's replacement at fullback after the Kiwi star was dropped for disciplinary matters.

NEW Zealand Test fullback Josh Hoffman has been axed from the Broncos side to play competition leaders Canterbury in Sydney on Sunday after he was late for training yesterday.

Coach Anthony Griffin's hardline stance is designed to reinforce to the players there is zero tolerance to lapses in discipline, despite the club's struggle to remain in the NRL top eight.

Griffin also is set to drop another bombshell, with out-of-form five-eighth Corey Norman likely to replace Hoffman at fullback. Norman made his NRL debut in the position against the Cowboys in 2010 when he was 18, and was man of the match.

Griffin has other fullback options, most notably Gerard Beale and Lachlan Maranta.

***

Update: 2.14pm

Brisbane NRL coach Anthony Griffin has confirmed Corey Norman as Josh Hoffman's replacement at fullback against Canterbury on Sunday after the Kiwi star was dropped for breaching club discipline.

"Corey's done a job there before, as has Gerard,'' he said.

"It's too early to put Lachie in that position - he's been doing such a good job for us on the wing.

"We put Corey there and we only have to make one change and he brings a different set of skills as well.

"He's a ball player and he's got a kicking game as well which will help.

"I didn't sit there too long and weigh things up. We had a decision to make.''

Norman, who produced a couple of man-of-the-match efforts from fullback early last year and beat Ben Hunt to Darren Lockyer's No.6 jumper, has been battling a groin injury.

***

He said last night Hoffman's breach was a "one-off" and he was not a serial offender like his cousin Dane Gagai, who was sacked by the club and has since joined Newcastle.

"But he picked a bad day to do it," Griffin said. "Josh will play for Redcliffe on Sunday.

"No one's happy about this. I'm not happy, and I'm sure he's not. No one enjoys doing these things, but it is what it is.

"Regardless of our situation, I'm not going to stand for ill discipline, particularly at this time of year.

"We have to make it clear that regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in on the ladder, our culture and standards will not be compromised.

"I have no issues with Josh. He just made an error. But he picked the wrong day."

Hoffman was late for yesterday's weights session, and although he was axed on the spot, trained with the NRL squad in the field session along with Queensland Cup players.

Griffin said he had yet to decide on the fullback spot, but would not rule out switching Norman there.

"There are a number of options," he said.

Norman, who has been battling a groin injury, was dropped from the starting side for last Sunday's match against Canberra, with Ben Hunt preferred. Hunt has retained his spot for the Bulldogs match.

It is a case of one step forward, two steps back for Brisbane, with lock Corey Parker (shoulder) and utility Alex Glenn (hamstring) injured in Canberra, while centre Jack Reed (leg) made a successful comeback.

Griffin said the news on Parker and Glenn was better than expected, but he marvelled at Parker's toughness given the 30-year-old saw out the match in Canberra after injuring his shoulder in the first minute.