Rookie Brisbane fullback Josh Hoffman's first grade debut was going to be tough enough without making it against his famous second cousin Wendell Sailor.

Sailor's highly publicised return to the NRL with St George Illawarra at WIN Stadium on Friday night coincides with Hoffman's debut for the Broncos - which has hardly rated a line in newspapers.

Hoffman is Sailor's second cousin on his mother's side.

He's been gagged from commenting on his NRL debut against the 34-year-old dual international because of coach Wayne Bennett's mandatory ban on all rookies speaking to the media.

The odds are Hoffman will at some stage be called on to stop the 105kg Sailor in Friday night's clash which will test the youngster's mettle.

Broncos football manager Peter Nolan said Hoffman, who scored nine tries in nine games for Redcliffe Colts last season, was a kid who had developed really well.

"He's got a terrific attitude, he's a great trainer and he looks like a football player." said Nolan.

"He's got really good footwork and he is a good defender.

"He's come along really good like you'd like a young player to develop.

"It's a tough game for him to come into because he doesn't have the established stars around him but the good thing is he won't have any expectation on him on Friday night."

Hoffman has got his opportunity with Brisbane having six players away on Origin duty.

The Dragons will be missing Origin centres Mark Gasnier and Matt Cooper and with Chase Stanley joining Josh Morris in the centres, Sailor has been named to make his NRL comeback against his former club and coach Wayne Bennett.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP