Broncos want Te'o NRL charge downgraded

24 Jul 2012, 6:17 pm   -   Source: AAP
Brisbane are yet to decide whether to contest NRL charges against Josh Hoffman (pic) and Ben Te'o. (AAP)

Brisbane are yet to decide whether to contest NRL charges against Josh Hoffman (pic) and Ben Te'o. (AAP)

Brisbane will challenge the grading of Ben Te'o's high tackle charge although Josh Hoffman will miss one NRL match after lodging an early guilty plea.

Injury-hit Brisbane will employ legal representation in a bid to have utility Ben Te'o cleared to play against Parramatta at the weekend.

The NRL club has reluctantly decided not to challenge a dangerous contact charge levelled against fullback Josh Hoffman who will miss the Eels clash for his tackle on Gold Coast's Luke Bailey.

Te'o will plead guilty but will dispute the grading of his striking charge, hoping to have it reduced to allow him to play on Monday night.

Brisbane is battling an injury curse to their outside backs with international centres Justin Hodges (hamstring and ankle), Jack Reed (leg) and Jharal Yow Yeh (lower leg/ankle) on the sidelines.

There was some suggestion English international Reed could fast-track his return from a broken leg but Hodges, who has targeted his own comeback for round 23 against Canterbury, said on Tuesday that might be rushing things too much.

Young NRL journeyman Luke Capewell will make a starting debut for Brisbane with Hoffman suspended.

Capewell, who played one game off the interchange bench for Brisbane earlier this season, will wear the No.1 jumper with 103kg Perth-born youngster Aaron Whitchurch getting a call-up on the wing, allowing Gerard Beale to shift to the centres for Hodges.

Representative forward Ben Hannant's strong form has won him back his starting spot up front alongside Petero Civoniceva with Josh McGuire dropping to the bench after starting the past two games.

Beale's switch from the wing gives Brisbane a Kiwi international centre pairing as the club waits for Hodges and England international Reed to return.

Coach Anthony Griffin did not name Te'o in his 18 man squad because of his judiciary appearance but included lock Corey Parker who is battling a strained knee medial ligament.

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