Test utility Shaun Berrigan is a surprise inclusion at halfback in the Broncos' team to take on Newcastle this Friday night at Suncorp Stadium. Berrigan was last week ruled out for up to a month with a hamstring tear but has been chosen in the 17 for Friday's blockbuster just a week after sustaining the injury at training.

Even more surprising is his choice at halfback. Although he played in the position for the majority of the 2003 season, including three State of Origin games for Queensland, Berrigan was moved to the centres this season and has been a revelation, his form so good that he earnt his debut Test jumper against New Zealand last month.

However, a season ending knee injury to halfback Brett Seymour, and five-eighth Darren Lockyer still a month away with a cracked rib has forced coach Wayne Bennett to shift Berrigan in field.

The Brisbane Broncos have kept touch with the competition leaders with a courageous and at times scintillating 34-20 win over Canberra Raiders in Canberra this afternoon. Winger Craig Frawley scored three tries in his most outstanding first grade outing.

While all three Broncos tries against the Bulldogs were scored by forwards, this time it was all in the backline with centres Brent Tate (pictured) and Michael De Vere and fullback Karmichael Hunt joining Frawley on the tryscorer's list.

When Frawley scored his third early in the second half, the Broncos led 26-8 and few thought the Raiders could fight back. But fight back they did, with tries to Clinton Schifcofske and Mark McLinden reducing the margin to just six points with 8 minutes left to play.

Discarded former Queensland forward, Carl Webb has earned a recall to first grade as the Broncos' injury crisis worsens going into Sunday's clash with Canberra in the nation's capital. Webb was given permission to negotiate with other clubs at the end of last season but elected to stay and fight to regain his position in the top 17.

His persistence has been rewarded with the nuggety prop forward chosen to replace Test front rower Shane Webcke in the starting side against the Raiders.

Webcke has been ruled out for at least a week with a back injury that has plagued the 198-game veteran since Brisbane's win over the Cowboys three weeks ago. Webcke may miss as much as three weeks of football if the injury doesn't respond to treatment.

He joins Test front row partner Petero Civoniceva on the sidelines. Civoniceva is still two weeks away from recovering from a medial ligament strain also suffered in the Cowboys game.

Queensland's State of Origin hopes hang in the balance after Maroons' skipper Darren Lockyer suffered a rib injury in the first half of Brisbane's 25-18 loss to Canterbury at a sparsely populated Telstra Stadium. Lockyer left the field with the Broncos down 12-0 30 minutes into the game and did not return.

However, his teammates stood tall, led by captain Gorden Tallis, inspiring an 18-point comeback to lead 18-12 with just on 10 minutes remaining.

But the Bulldogs weren't to be denied, back rower Andrew Ryan crashing over with 9 minutes remaining, Hazem El Masri converted to level the scores. Brent Sherwin landed the second of his field goal attempts with three minutes left and Willie Mason scored a soft try to extend the margin to seven points, which probably didn't reflect the closeness of the game.

Lockyer cut a forlorn figure on the sideline during that tense second half, and he complained to Channel 9's Andrew Voss that he struggled for breath, indicating something more serious than rib cartilage damage.

The Queensland board of selectors has chosen a twenty-two man preliminary squad for the first interstate clash against New South Wales. The squad will be reduced down to the seventeen for the first match on May 17th. I love the look of the squad. It has size, skill and aggression. But what I like most is the experience within the side.

There are four new faces in the squad. They are;

1. Corey Parker: has been in sensational form off the bench for the Broncos, especially his showing as starting front rower against the Panthers. In that game Parker was a constant threat to the Panthers, breaking tackles and offloading.

2. Ben Ross: has been in my opinion one of the better bench players this season. When he comes on he makes a lot of ground and hits hard in defence. Exactly what a team needs in a tough contest such as Origin.

Wayne Bennett has named another strong side for this weekend’s top of the table clash against the Bulldogs. The only change to the side which beat the Panthers is the inclusion of winger Craig Frawley. Frawley has been recalled after missing the game against the Panthers due to a calf strain. Frawley has been rewarded by Bennett after some strong performances this season following several years interrupted by injury. Obviously Bennett can see the potential in this junior Kangaroo winger, with his size and ability to attack the ball whilst in the air in his favor.

But as a result of Frawley's inclusion, Motu Tony has been dropped from the team. After an indifferent game on Sunday I see it as a harsh move by Bennett, considering Casey McGuire’s lack of impact off the bench this season. When Tony came on late in the first half against the Warriors in round one, he had an immediate impact. While McGuire has been solid and hasn't made any errors, he hasn't in my view provided that 'spark' in what a bench player should bring to the match.

Brilliant Brisbane Broncos hooker, Barry Berrigan, continued his outstanding early season form with a double as the Broncos put Penrith away 32-14 at Suncorp Stadium to join the competition leaders.

Berrigan scored the first try of the match in trademark style, darting over unopposed from dummyhalf. His second, the first of the second half, finished off one of the most sensational try scoring movements of the season. Skipper Gorden Tallis unleashed an amazing offload 30 metres out from his own line, Brent Tate streaking away, finding Michael De Vere in support, who drew and passed to Berrigan who is always there or thereabouts in support to score under the posts.

Coach Wayne Bennett had no idea just how valuable the former Bulldogs and Redcliffe rake would be. "I'm not that smart," he said. "He's just been so valuable."

Berrigan was just one of the stars, with the Test representatives backing up just 48 hours after their great triumph over New Zealand earning special praise from the coach.

Australian captain Darren Lockyer played a true captain's knock as the Kangaroos belted New Zealand 37-10 in the ANZAC Test at Newcastle tonight. Lockyer, in his first Test as captain on home soil, and his first Test at five-eighth after playing his previous 20 matches at fullback, was absolutely dynamic and led his team to perfection from the outset.

It didn't all go Lockyer's way however, with a nasty collision with a goal post late in the game sending palpitations through the Brisbane Broncos camp ahead of their clash with premiers Penrith on Sunday. However, Lockyer regained his composure quickly, setting up Michael Crocker with a try on debut just a minute later.

Lockyer's heroics all had a major impact on the game, from his under pressure 40-20 kick in the first half, his 40-metre field goal in the shadows of half time, his opportunistic try midway through the second half and his involvement in most of Australia's 7 tries stamped his class on the contest and earnt him a deserved Man of the Match award.

Broncos captain Gorden Tallis will take part in his 200th NRL premiership match this Sunday, when he takes the field at Suncorp against reigning premiers Penrith.

This impressive tally includes 54 NRL premiership matches for St George before joining the Broncos, where he has built a world-wide reputation and following, due to his fearless yet passionate nature both on and off the field.

He also made eight Super League World Club Challenge appearances for the Broncos in 1997 and the World Club Championship Final in 2001 against St Helens.

Facing the media after training earlier today, all interest was diverted from the milestone to his decision to retire from representitive football.

A Craig Frawley trysaver on a flying Matt Bowen has helped the Broncos escape with a 19-12 win over the North Queensland Cowboys in front of almost 26000 fans at Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville. With the game in the balance at 18-12 with six minutes left, Frawley managed to hold Bowen up in goal when a try seemed certain and his team fast tiring in the oppressive tropical heat.

Bowen had received a brilliant Travis Norton offload 35 metres out and was at full pace as he and Frawley collided on the try line. Frawley managed to wrap up the ball and roll Bowen onto his back, then throwing in a one-on-one strip into the bargain to prevent what could have been the match equalling try.

It was a crucial play as the Broncos were effectively reduced to a two-man bench after Petero Civoniceva suffered a knee injury midway through the second half and Sam Thaiday unable to come on due to lack of replacements available. Brisbane's forwards were tiring and the chances of them withstanding a Golden Point period was remote.

For Civoniceva the injury could not come at a worse time. Just 24 hours after the birth of his first child, Civoniceva writhed in agony as a Cowboys player landed on top of his right knee, which he injured during the preseason. Test selection is due Sunday night, and Civoniceva was widely tipped to be one of the starting props.