Brisbane prop Ben Hannant signalled a return to his best with a powerhouse performance against his former NRL club Canterbury at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

Australia and Queensland captain Darren Lockyer declared Hannant had produced his best game of the season two days before national selectors name their squad to play New Zealand on Friday May 6.

In a timely reminder to national and state selectors, the 26-year-old Hannant smashed his way through 203 tough metres as the Broncos charged to a seventh straight win 20-12 -- their best season start since 2002.

Hannant's metres, every one earned with pain, was only outdone by Broncos fullback Gerard Beale, the youngster carving out an impressive 220 metres which included his third try standing in at fullback for injured custodian Josh Hoffman (shin bruising).

He even had a try assist, serving up the final pass for Lockyer to score in the 12th minute.

The competition is red hot for front-row spots for Australia and Queensland with Petero Civoniceva, Matt Scott, Dave Shillington, Learoyd Lahrs all vying with Hannant for representative selection.

Hannant has a point to prove after being overlooked for the third game of last year's record-breaking fifth straight series win.

"It's just great to be back to were I was last year and the year before," said Hannant after a number of huge collisions with the Bulldogs forwards.

"I've lost a bit of weight and I've got some run in my legs again."

No doubt Queensland selector Gene Miles, the only panel member at the game, would have been impressed by Hannant's bullocking charges and his offloading under pressure.

Hannant, who dismissed being motivated against his former club, wasn't keen to talk up his representative chances despite being voted as Brisbane's best on a tough night.

But he said it would mean a lot to be back in a Queensland jumper next month.

"I had a bad year with injuries last year and I missed the first rounds this year with injury.

"My goal is just to keep improving and to keep playing well for Brisbane."

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