Lodge ‘can play Origin’

MAROONS forward Josh McGuire says Matt Lodge has the toughness to play State of Origin this season as the Broncos hulk plays through the pain barrier against a big-name Bulldogs pack tonight.

Lodge is refusing to succumb to rib cartilage damage that faces a fresh barrage from Bulldogs Origin props David Klemmer and Aaron Woods tonight at Suncorp Stadium.

Despite three years out of the game, Lodge has been one of the NRL’s form props in the opening eight rounds, averaging 114m a game.

It is that type of toughness that has convinced McGuire, a veteran of eight games for Queensland, that Lodge can handle Origin football.