Brisbane's forwards plan to "ramp up" their engine as the six time premiers move towards a 17th successive finals campaign.

The Broncos pack responded to a selection rocket from coach Wayne Bennett against Cronulla last week and second-rower Ashton Sims said the whole club would step things up in the weeks leading into the NRL finals.

Asked how he and his teammates reacted to Bennett's threat to drop players who failed to perform against the Sharks, Sims said: "They took it well.

"It was a good rocket up our butts.

"As a forward group it got us tight-knit and back to a lot of things we were doing early in the year when we were probably playing better for each other.

"We took a few good steps forward last week and we're looking to go on with it.

"This club has a real proud heritage, they haven't missed the finals in I don't know how many years.

"We had a meeting today about ramping things up a bit and working hard for the last six or seven games."

Performance director Jeremy Hickmans delivered on his warning to take things up a notch at training.

"He didn't muck around today," said Sims after a searching session.

"He called a little meeting yesterday and told us things were going to be really intense over the next couple of weeks and that's what happened out there today."

Canberra, who've struck some impressive form at the right time will be a real test for Brisbane at Suncorp on Sunday.

The Broncos have finally been able to name the same side for the second week running and if they can stay healthy as they did in 2006 and get into the top four, they have a good shot at giving coach Wayne Bennett a fairytale premiership-winning send off.

"Canberra looked really good winning last week without Todd Carney," said Sims.

"They're a tough team and their forward pack is really standing up for them.

"They were one of the really good teams during the mid `90s and it's great to see them coming back to what they were like.

"They have a never give up attitude and it shows in their forwards and we have to nullify that this week."

Skipper Darren Lockyer and utility David Stagg were both named in the 17-man squad today after suffering concussion in last Friday's physical 18-12 win over the Sharks.

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