Stand-in Brisbane captain Corey Parker admits his pride is hurting after being on the wrong end of consecutive embarrassing NRL losses.

Parker warned his teammates needed to urgently address their defensive deficiencies or risk earning a reputation in the NRL of being "pushovers".

The players went back to basics at training on Monday with contact defensive and wrestling drills re-introduced in the wake of heavy losses to Melbourne 48-4, and to the Bulldogs 44-22 last Friday night.

Parker, searching for his first win as Brisbane's captain against the Sharks on Monday night, said it didn't require a Royal Commission to work out what Brisbane's problem was.

"The reason is we're missing too many tackles," said the seasoned forward.

"We all know how to tackle, we showed that in the first six or seven weeks of the comp, it comes down to a mind set.

"I don't think confidence is an issue, it's more to do with attitude.

"In two games we've had 90 points scored on us. You can't afford that against the top sides.

"Our arms haven't fallen off or anything.

"It hurts my pride, whether it hurts everyone's pride ... I'm sure there's a lot of guys who take it personally.

"You don't want to be seen as a team that is a pushover in defence."

Coach Ivan Henjak's frustrations at trying to get his top group back together continues on Tuesday when he loses six players for Origin duty leaving him to bring in a new line up to play Cronulla at Shark Park next Monday night.

"It's important we put in a good hard training week and take it down to Sydney with us on Monday," said Parker.

"The Sharks are always a danger and tough at Shark Park.

"But the depth of the Broncos never ceases to amaze with all the young talent coming through.

"Josh McGuire has only played six (first grade) games for us and there's other guys who have come up and done a great job also.

"I do think there'll be some guys on Monday night who might be debutants, I'm not sure, who'll be underdone, but I know they'll give it a red hot go."

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