The Sharks head to Brisbane on the back of two disappointing losses and in need of a turnaround as they look to rediscover the form that carried them to seven wins on the trot.
After conceding just 14ppg through the first 10 rounds the Sharks have given up 106 points in their past three matches, giving up top spot on the ladder to Melbourne on points differential.
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon will be keeping a keen eye on his main man Nicho Hynes in Wednesday’s Origin opener to see how he handles the big occasion and how his calf holds up.
With Braydon Trindall and Daniel Atkinson coming up short against the Eels, Fitzgibbon knows Hynes’ presence is pivotal to the chances of victory at Suncorp Stadium but he may choose to take a cautious approach and put him on ice for a week.
The Broncos have Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan, Reece Walsh and Selwyn Cobbo all taking part in Origin One so coach Kevin Walters has some big calls to make around players backing up.
Star centre Kotoni Staggs is a chance to return from a rib injury in a boost for the Broncos, who went down in a tight one to the Titans before a bye in Round 13 to rest some weary bodies.