Returning Brisbane forward Joe Ofahengaue has nominated Sam Thaiday as the man to step into the big shoes left behind by injured prop Korbin Sims ahead of the NRL finals.
Even if that costs Ofahengaue a spot in the Broncos starting side in Thursday night's crunch NRL clash with North Queensland in Townsville.
An NRL return could not come soon enough for barnstorming forward Ofahengaue after serving a three-game lifting tackle ban.
Ofahengaue was considered a chance to slot straight into the starting side, replacing Sims who suffered a season ending broken arm in last round's 52-34 thrashing from Parramatta.
But Ofahengaue volunteered Brisbane's new Mr Fixit Thaiday as the man to fill the void created by the in-form Sims even if it cost him a start.
"In my opinion Sammy should start," he said.
"He would be best for that role.
"We all know what Sammy can bring."
Thaiday has been starting at hooker since Andrew McCullough's season-ending knee injury.
Now he is expected to slot in at prop with bench back-up No.9 Ben Hunt starting as rake against the Cowboys.
Ofahengaue still hoped to feature against the Cowboys if Thaiday is named as starting prop.
"I want to get back out there pretty bad," he said.
"All of the home games I went to (while suspended) I had itchy feet.
"The first game (during ban) I had to leave early because I was a bit nervous.
"I just didn't think it was good for me to watch the game so I went home."
Last round's touch up from the Eels was also not pretty viewing for Ofahengaue but he insisted Brisbane had moved on.
"It was hard losing to Parramatta like that last week," he said.
"But we have got a good leadership group there that has helped us get over it.
"We have moved on as a team. Right now all our energy is on the Cowboys."
Brisbane captain Darius Boyd was confident someone would step up in Sims' absence.
"He's a massive blow," he said of the injured Sims.
"He was a great acquisition (from Newcastle) this year.
"I thought he was getting better as the season went on.
"But we can't worry about that any more.
"Now we need someone else to fill in and do a good job for Korbin."
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