NRL: Broncos back rookie halfback

Ben Hunt is favoured to replace injured Broncos halfback Peter Wallace for the semifinal against the Storm. Photo / Getty Images

The Brisbane Broncos are set to punt on a teenager with just two NRL games under his belt to help exorcise the demons of last year's heartbreaking finals exit against Melbourne on Saturday night.

Youngster Ben Hunt is favoured to step in for Peter Wallace in the halfback hotseat against the Storm after Wallace was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a broken ankle.

And that may not be the end of the drama for the Broncos, with fullback Karmichael Hunt likely to come under scrutiny from the match review committee for a trip on St George Illawarra pivot Jamie Soward.

Wallace limped off late in the Broncos' 24-10 semi-final win over St George Illawarra on Saturday night, with x-rays confirming the break in his left ankle.

While options such as moving skipper Darren Lockyer or fullback Karmichael Hunt are likely to be considered, it is believed coach Ivan Henjak will turn to 19-year-old Ben Hunt in the No.7 jumper so as not to unsettle the team's structure.

Hunt made his NRL debut against Cronulla in round 15, while his only other appearance was against Gold Coast in round 20.

Both those games ended in heavy defeats for the Broncos, though on both occasions Brisbane were severely depleted by State of Origin commitments with Hunt one of several youngsters blooded by Henjak.

This time he would have the likes of Lockyer, Karmichael Hunt, Justin Hodges and Israel Folau by his side, which could make life a lot easier against the Storm.

"I don't know what Ivan (Henjak) will do, maybe move Locky," Wallace said.

"I'm not sure about Ben (Hunt), he's had a handful of games, they might chance it."

Even if Hunt does play, it would be assumed Lockyer would play a lot of first receiver in a match the Test skipper will be eagerly awaiting following last year's 16-14 semi-final loss to the Storm at Suncorp Stadium.

Lockyer cut a shattered figure after that match, with the image of his fist-clenching expletive-riddled look to the heavens sure to feature prominently in the promotion of Saturday night's re-match at Etihad Stadium.

Wallace was devastated to learn he wouldn't get another crack at the Storm.

"I knew as soon as it happened that there was something seriously wrong," Wallace said.

"It is very disappointing for this to happen at any stage of the season, but for it to happen now when we are heading into such a big game makes it even harder to swallow."

Storm forward Ryan Hoffman admitted the Wallace injury would hurt the Broncos, but said Melbourne were wary of underestimating their opponent.

"He has been fantastic for them all year and for that to happen to him I sort of know how he feels," Hoffman said, who missed last year's preliminary final and grand final with an ankle injury.

"I suppose you have to be careful of a team that is wounded so to speak.

"I'm sure a lot of people were worried about us last year after we lost Cameron Smith before the preliminary final too.

"We're under no illusions about just how tough this Broncos team is going to be."

While the loss of Wallace will make life difficult for the Broncos, they would be in dire straits if Karmichael Hunt was rubbed out after catching Soward with his leg during the first half on Saturday night.

Hunt would be free to play if handed a grade one tripping charge, but anything more severe would require a trip to the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night.

- AAP