Justin Hodges says his close friendship with Karmichael Hunt means too much to try to sway the disillusioned fullback to re-sign with the Broncos.

Hunt's future with the Broncos has been up in the air since the club lost patience with him last month and withdrew its $1 million-plus offer.

The 22-year-old custodian has been linked with wealthy Japanese rugby union club Suntory.

"We are good mates but I really don't want to put that (friendship) on the line by trying to get him to re-sign," said Hodges, who has plenty to lose should Hunt depart given the fullback's importance to Brisbane's right side attack.

"By all means I hope he does, but which ever way he goes it's not going to affect our relationship.

"We're good mates and it's always going to stay that way."

Hunt has refused to speak to the media since being involved in a police investigation involving three Broncos last September. No charges were ever laid.

His off-field issues however have not affected his form on the field.

Two weeks ago he showed his commitment by playing against the Dragons despite being flattened by a virus.

Hodges, who experienced his own problems last year and missed the World Cup to have off-season shoulder surgery, is keen to continue building his new partnership with winger Israel Folau against Penrith this weekend.

Hodges was so down in the dumps late last year that Brisbane gave him six week's leave to sort himself out.

Asked if he thought of quitting during his low period, Hodges said: "it never got that bad".

"I was just having problems with my arm (shoulder), everyone goes through it," he said.

"I missed out on the World Cup, it's one of those things you can never get back and I'll probably never play in one again."

Hodges 2009 season start is being played with a judiciary rap sheet hanging over his head.

The Origin and Test centre has to keep his emotions, tackles and aggression under control or he could end up on the sidelines for a lengthy spell because of heavy loading from previous offences.

"It does play in the back of your mind but I can't go out and play every week worrying about it," said the Queensland and Australian centre.

Brisbane's left side attack of Steve Michaels and rookie winger Antonio Winterstein stole the show last weekend with Winterstein bagging two tries against the Roosters.

But Hodges, who missed the clash, denied there was any competition between the two attacking units.

"They (left) are going really well. It's good to see, it's taken a lot of pressure off the right side," he said.

"There's no competition.

"We just want to compete every week, we don't really care who scores the tries as long as we come away with the two premiership points."

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