NRL: Double blow for Broncos

Justin Hodges will miss tomorrow's clash with the Rabbitohs. Photo /Getty Images

Brisbane have suffered a big blow before Friday's night's NRL blockbuster clash with South Sydney, losing Test centre Justin Hodges and forward Josh McGuire to injury.

Neither player took part in the Broncos' final training session at Red Hill on Thursday morning.

The losses are a serious blow to sixth-placed Brisbane's chances of beating second-placed South Sydney who come to Brisbane at full strength and at the top of their game with a 5-1 record.

Hodges, with a groin injury, and McGuire who returned from a calf injury against West Tigers last weekend were ruled out after failing late medical tests.

Youngster Jordan Kahu, who has played a handful of NRL games, comes into the centres for Hodges while Jarrod Wallace replaces McGuire on the bench.

Brisbane have rescued their slow start to the season with a hat-trick of wins against Gold Coast, North Queensland and the Tigers in recent weeks and their clash with South Sydney looms as an acid test of their improvement.

South Sydney are expected to be at full strength with star fullback Greg Inglis cleared to play despite being on the wrong end of multiple spear tackles during his team's tough win over Manly last Friday.

- AAP