If Brisbane loses the Suncorp Stadium final round clash or wins by less than 15 points its run of 18 successive finals series appearances will be over, also bringing down the curtain for Australian Rules-bound centre Israel Folau.

Wallace's return was revealed yesterday only after he got the green light from his specialist as it was deemed he couldn't tear his shoulder joint much more.

''If we weren't a chance of making the finals, I wouldn't be playing,'' said Wallace, who will undergo a shoulder reconstruction when the Broncos' season ends. ''The team comes first, that's what it's about.''

Wallace first approached coach Ivan Henjak on Monday about playing after it became clear champion five-eighth Darren Lockyer would not be able to beat the odds and return despite his rib cartilage injury.

''I had my heart set on playing [Friday night] but it was looking pretty bleak on the weekend,'' Wallace said.

''I was really sore last Saturday but once I got some movement back in it on Monday I was really desperate to help the boys out.''

The 24-year-old former Panther suffered the biggest disappointment of his career last year when an ankle injury kept him out of the qualifying final as Brisbane lost to Melbourne one game short of the grand final.

With inspirational leader Lockyer out, Wallace will provide some stability in the halves where youngster Ben Hunt faces his sternest test. He fully expects Canberra's hulks, Tom Learoyd Lahrs, Dane Tilse, Scott Logan and Test prop Dave Shillington to give his right shoulder an examination.

''I'm sure they'll be looking for me,'' Wallace said. ''It's something I'll have to deal with, you can't hide.

''The shoulder is pretty much wrecked so I can't do too much more damage.

''It's not even a pain thing, it's whether it holds up.''

Brisbane fans will be hoping the sense of occasion will energise the players who have been flat in recent weeks.

''If that doesn't, nothing will,'' Henjak said. ''They're playing for their lives, a position in the semis, possibly their last home games in front of their fans, they've got a lot to play for.

''They would want to be able to walk off the field with their heads held high and their fans feeling really good about their team and their effort.''