Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett says Karmichael Hunt should be considered the incumbent Test fullback and retained ahead of in-form Melbourne star Billy Slater for next month's Centenary Test against New Zealand.

Bennett launched a spirited defence of Hunt after Sunday's 34-22 NRL win over Newcastle saying the Broncos custodian only lost his Test jumper to Manly's Brett Stewart after missing the last part of 2007 with a hamstring injury.

The former Kangaroos coach said Test selectors had shown faith with incumbents in the past, if playing well, and believes Hunt should not be overlooked.

"(Hunt) is the incumbent fullback and I've worked with the Australian selectors before and if you've done the job for them in the past they're always pretty keen to put you back there if you're playing well," said Bennett.

"There's certainly nothing wrong with his form."

Storm fullback Slater is believed to be leading the race for the No.1 jumper after his two-try heroics in Melbourne's 26-4 win over Stewart's Sea Eagles on Friday night.

But Bennett dismissed the notion that Slater and Stewart were the only fullbacks in contention as media speculation.

"That's pretty much one of you guys (media) coughing and everybody else gets the flu," he said.

"You all run off each other unfortunately, not many independent thinkers amongst you."

Hunt didn't want to talk up his Test chances, he did that on the field with a superb 50m individual try on halftime, weaving through the defence and dummying past fullback Kurt Gidley to give his side a match-winning three try buffer.

"I would love to be a part of it," said Hunt of the May 9 Test at the SCG.

"It doesn't concern me what people are talking about. I just like to go about my football and keep my head out of the media."

Gidley meanwhile would welcome the chance to fill the contentious NSW halfback role this season.

The list of potential Blues halfbacks is enormous with Brett Kimmorley, Matt Orford, Todd Carney, Brett Finch, Peter Wallace, Mitchell Pearce and Jarrod Mullen all possible options.

Gidley has the support of former NSW coach Phil Gould and showed his potential on Sunday, scoring two tries and then leading his side's comeback when slotting into the role in the second half.

A walk-up start to get NSW's bench utility role, Gidley said he would relish the chance to play a full game in the No.7 and may get more opportunities to show his talent there with the Knights in the coming weeks if Scott Dureau is ruled out with ankle and hip injuries.

"I enjoy a challenge and I think the enthusiasm and that sort of stuff would work for me in that sort of position," he said.

"I might be playing halfback next week. I enjoy a good mix of it at club level, being at fullback and doing a bit of ball-playing when I can get my hands on it."

Canberra star Carney did his chances no harm, setting up four tries and scoring another as the Raiders fought back to beat Wests Tigers 30-24 on Sunday.

After weekend matches the Broncos, Sydney Roosters and Gold Coast share the NRL lead with four wins from five games.

The Titans beat Parramatta 28-20 on Friday and the Roosters disposed of Penrith 28-12 on Saturday night.

New Zealand Warriors scored two late tries to fend off a Bulldogs revival with a 36-16 win in Auckland on Sunday while North Queensland made it successive wins with a 20-16 triumph over St George Illawarra on Saturday night.

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