NRL 2021: Broncos stars Jordan Riki, Tom Flegler caught in post-season bust-up
The Broncos at the centre of a post-season altercation have revealed what happened after a playful wrestle took a wrong turn.
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Broncos forwards Tom Flegler and Jordan Riki have been embroiled in a silly season bust-up in a fiery postscript to Brisbane’s disappointing 2021 NRL campaign.
News Corp can reveal Broncos bosses have read the Riot Act to the rookie duo following revelations Riki and Flegler clashed as Brisbane’s post-season celebrations turned sour.
The flashpoint occurred in the aftermath of Brisbane’s 35-22 final round defeat of Newcastle last Saturday week.
It is understood a playful wrestling session between the pair took a wrong turn when Flegler took exception to skylarking from Riki as tempers flared.
Sources say Riki was left bloodied and required stitches.
Flegler said he apologised to Riki the day after the incident.
“We were out last Wednesday night and got in a wrestle that went a little wrong and Jordan ended up with a cut above his eye,” he said.
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“We went our separate ways that night and I gave him a call the next day to sort it out.
“It was silly and I apologised. We’ve agreed to keep our wrestling sessions to in-season from now on.”
Riki, who underwent shoulder surgery last week for an unrelated injury, confirmed he had forgiven Flegler.
“Tom reached out to me the next day and we spoke about what happened and we are absolutely sweet,” he said.
“I appreciated him being upfront and getting in contact and we’re both now looking forward to a bit of a break.”
Broncos coach Kevin Walters, CEO Dave Donaghy and head-of-football Ben Ikin have addressed Flegler and Riki on the cultural standards expected as Brisbane look to hit back as a finals contender next season.
Riki was not seen at Brisbane’s annual awards night last Thursday night after being scheduled to undergo end-of-season surgery on his shoulder.
Walters has vowed to bring unity to the Broncos and the Brisbane coach can ill-afford fractured relationships between his players as he attempts to haul the NRL’s richest club out of the cellar after their 14th-placing this season.
It has been a bittersweet season for Flegler, who started the 2021 campaign in mediocre form, but turned the corner after his shock Origin debut for injury-ravaged Queensland in Game Three.
Flegler’s strong end-of-season form was tarnished by two on-field incidents that led to dual suspensions, prompting Walters to tell the firebrand prop to control his discipline or risk further time on the sidelines.
It is understood the pair will not be sanctioned by the Broncos, who are confident the matter has been resolved and will lead to no lingering ill-feeling between Flegler and Riki.
The Flegler-Riki drama comes almost two years after former Broncos prop Matt Lodge clashed with Jack Bird in December 2019 after another Brisbane bonding session gone wrong.
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Originally published as NRL 2021: Broncos stars Jordan Riki, Tom Flegler caught in post-season bust-up
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