Brisbane and the Gold Coast are sweating on a positive medical updates to key players ahead of their NRL derby shootout at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

Broncos coach Ivan Henjak faces a fullback dilemma should representative Karmichael Hunt (cork thigh) be ruled out after it was confirmed on Tuesday his young replacement, Gerard Beale, broke his wrist playing against Manly on Sunday.

Likewise the Titans, who will defend Test back-rower Anthony Laffranchi against a low grade striking charge at Wednesday night's judiciary in Sydney, could also be without recalled Test prop Luke Bailey who's battling a calf injury and did not train on Tuesday.

Both were named in coach John Cartwright's squad on Tuesday.

Henjak said Hunt would attempt to run at training on Wednesday while Test centre Justin Hodges had been granted a 24 hour extension to rest a hamstring injury which flared playing for Australia in last Friday night's Test win over New Zealand.

Hodges's injury complicates things for Henjak who could have shifted him to fullback and played young Alex Glenn in the centres or even moved Israel Folau into the centres and found a new winger.

Henjak stressed on Tuesday neither Hunt nor Hodges were "over the line".

"Justin won't train till Thursday while we're hoping K (Hunt) will run on Wednesday," said Henjak.

"It's a bit of a dilemma but I'm sure we'll come up with a solution, we've got a few versatile players.

John Sutton's broken hand while playing for City last Friday night has opened the door for former Test forward Michael Crocker to play his first game for South Sydney against Wests Tigers at the SCG on Sunday.

Crocker, who only signed with the Rabbitohs last Friday after his bid to move to the English Super League fell through, will start at lock with Craig Wing replacing Sutton at five-eighth.

The Tigers will be without star centre Chris Lawrence who is expected to be out for up to a month with an ankle ligament injury, Dene Halatau his replacement against the Bunnies.

Meanwhile Dragons coach Wayne Bennett welcomes back forward Ben Creagh and centre Beau Scott for the club's Heritage round clash with the Bulldogs at WIN Jubilee Oval on Friday night.

Creagh (ankle) and Scott (elbow) sustained injuries in last Friday night's City-Country clash in Orange which forced them out of the game the following night against the Cowboys.

Hooker Luke Priddis also returns from a round six knee injury to the Dragon's interchange bench replacing Mathew Head.

The Warriors have rushed Kiwi prop Sam Rapira and winger Denan Kemp back to be part of Jerome Ropati's 100th first-grade celebrations against North Queensland at home on Sunday.

Rapira missed the Warriors' 12-11 loss to St George Illawarra and the Kiwis' Anzac Test loss to Australia last weekend because of a chest injury.

Ropati becomes only the 14th player - and the second this season after Nathan Fien - to reach the 100-game mark for the Warriors.

Firebrand prop Mark O'Meley makes a comeback on the Rooster's bench after missing the last two games following talk of a falling out with coach Brad Fittler.

In another significant change, Parramatta ironman Nathan Hindmarsh is back in the Eel's pack to tackle reigning premiers Manly after serving a one week suspension.

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