Brisbane have refused to let the loss of representative winger Israel Folau and an unsuccessful comeback bid by Justin Hodges weaken their resolve to climb out of an NRL losing slump against Parramatta on Sunday.

Folau, who injured his sternum in Queensland's historic State of Origin win in Sydney on Wednesday night, was ruled out after failing a tackling test on Saturday morning while Hodges aborted his comeback bid.

Brisbane took the double blow on the chin with coach Ivan Henjak signalling the defensive floodgates, which have poured out 138 points in three straight losses and had been closed tight.

"A couple of our big guns didn't make it through this morning's session," said Henjak.

"They're the cards that are dealt to us at the moment and we've got to go out and do the best we can.

Henjak said the players had reached a point where they were fed up with the way the team was performing during the testing Origin period.

"There comes a time in the year when you've been through something like this that you get sick of feeling the way you feel," said Henjak.

"You get sick of getting beaten, you get sick of getting a big score on you, and you know you've just got to do something about it.

"It becomes a personal, individual thing with your own pride and I'm hoping that we're at that stage.

"The forwards have copped some criticism, I know they're hurting, it's not a nice time.

"I can just start seeing a shift in their approach and their attitude this week, so hopefully we'll see that on Sunday."

Folau's withdrawal has given 17 year-old Dale Copley an unexpected chance to improve on his nervous NRL debut last week against Cronulla.

Copley's confidence took a hammering against the Sharks along with young halfback Ben Hunt, but Henjak was confident the teenager hadn't been scarred by the experience.

"They were pretty tough circumstances for the kid last week (against Cronulla) and I think he deserves another chance," said Henjak.

"I'd like him to be playing in a team that is confident and going well, it would certainly help him.

"He'll have a bit more experience beside him this time and I'm sure he'll be fine.

Henjak was disappointed halfback Peter Wallace had been made a scapegoat for the Blues' 24-14 Origin loss.

"I think Pete tried his heart out, that's the way he plays all the time," said Henjak, confident Wallace would bounce back against the Eels.

"He played with a lot of courage the other night and defended really well.

"They (Queensland) got to 18-0 up and it wasn't through any fault of his.

"I think everyone's been a bit harsh on him.

"I know he's a good player and he's been wonderful for us.

"Hopefully he will prove a few critics wrong on Sunday."

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