Arvo wrap

Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett paid tribute to his batch of Australian internationals after they backed up from Friday night's Test match to lead the Broncos to a 20-16 win over Newcastle last night.

Skipper Darren Lockyer, Karmichael Hunt, Brent Tate and tireless prop Petero Civoniceva were outstanding for the visitors playing their second match in the space of 48 hours. The four tries to three win helped the Broncos resurrect their fading premiership defence, the victory just their second after six rounds.

Elsewhere debate rages, with Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes has calling for rugby league administrators to show more consideration to the welfare of players over the game's scheduling.

Folkes has expressed concerns over what affect the game's packed draw is having on players, particularly representative stars. The Bulldogs play the Wests Tigers on Friday with Test forwards Willie Mason and Andrew Ryan to line-up for their third game in just eight days.

Several of Brisbane's Test stars will also have endured a similar schedule with the Broncos playing Melbourne on Friday. Folkes says the heavy workload has the potential to flatten players for the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, Folkes remains undecided over who will play halfback for his NRL side against the Wests Tigers on Friday. Long-time number seven Brent Sherwin and Kiwi international Ben Roberts are battling for the position after Sherwin made a solid return to the NRL against Parramatta yesterday with Roberts resting following Friday's Test.

Neither player wanted to speak to the media after the Bulldogs' recovery session today, with Folkes saying he will likely wait until tomorrow before making his final decision.

Following on from last night