Brisbane prop Payne Haas has vowed North Queensland won't embarrass the Broncos on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium like they did last year, as bragging rights in the state derby go on the line again.
The Broncos narrowly missed the NRL finals in 2022 and they can point towards a 38-12 thrashing by the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium and a 40-26 defeat in Townsville as two losses that cost them dearly.
"They put a cricket score on us both games and it is something we are not proud of," Haas said.
"Especially at Suncorp last year they pulled our pants down. We are looking to get (a win) this week and I can't wait."
Brisbane received a boost at training on Monday with fullback Reece Walsh training freely after he missed the 13-12 win over Penrith with a fractured eye socket. Walsh appears set to play fullback against North Queensland with Selwyn Cobbo reverting back to the wing.
The rivalry between the Cowboys and Broncos is intense. Of the 58 games played, Brisbane have won 36 and drawn two. It took North Queensland nine years to beat the Broncos for the first time and since then the ledger has been almost even.
Haas is training to be a barber in his spare time and he has his sights on cutting the Cowboys back down to size.
Based on last year's results, he said the Cowboys could rightly claim to be 'big brother' for now.
"They have got a right to say that. They can have that title but we are looking to get it back this week," he said.
The Broncos enter the clash on a high after a gritty win over last year's premiers.
"We knew it was going to be a tough task for us going to Penrith. I was proud of the boys' effort, especially in defence," Haas said.
"We have lots of trust in each other now and it showed. It is all about the resilience we worked on in pre-season."
The addition of Walsh will give Brisbane an added kicking option and more creativity with the ball.
Five-eighth Ezra Mam did not train on Monday due to a cold but is expected to face the Cowboys.
Cobbo trained in a non-contact red bib on Monday but AAP was told he does not have an injury that would keep him out of Friday night's game.
