Brendan Piakura has chance to shake off bench warmer role at the Broncos

He was in Queensland’s extended State of Origin squad last year, now Brisbane youngster Brendan Piakura has been struggling to crack Michael Maguire’s starting line-up.

Queensland legend Cooper Cronk says Brendan Piakura is tailor-made for State of Origin as his coach Michael Maguire backed the Broncos hitman to become a rising star in Maroon.

Piakura gets a golden chance to prove his NRL and Origin bona fides after being catapulted into Brisbane’s starting side for Saturday night’s clash against the Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium.

Jordan Riki’s two-match suspension for a high shot against the Dolphins has opened the door for Piakura to partner Jack Gosiewski in the back row as Brisbane chase a 4-1 start with victory over the Tigers.

For Piakura, it is a chance to make a statement after a selection setback in round 1, when the 22-year-old lost out to Riki and journeyman Gosiewski in the battle for starting back-row berths.

The Cook Islands forward has spent the opening month playing a support role off the bench, but Maguire is banking on Piakura to step up and showcase his fearsome hitting power against the Tigers.

fox League expert Cooper Cronk (R) with (from left) Corey Parker, Yvonne Sampson and Mal Meninga. Picture: Brett Costello

Piakura was named in Queensland’s extended squad last year by coach Billy Slater and halfback great Cronk believes it’s only a matter of time before the second-row sensation breaks through in Maroon.

“I don’t know if (Piakura) will play this year (for Queensland) but in terms of the future, I like what Piakura has done at Brisbane,” said Fox Sports analyst Cronk, who played 22 Origin games for Queensland.

“He played a lot more football last year under ‘Kevvie’ (former coach Kevin Walters) and he is struggling to find his spot under Madge.

“But when he puts it together, Piakura is physical, he is intimidating, he has leg speed and he has a good engine to play on an edge.”

Good judges at the Broncos believe Piakura, who represented the Australian Schoolboys in 2019, has the potential to be one of the most intimidating players in the league.

But the young gun has endured a turbulent tenure at Red Hill.

Handed his NRL baptism in 2021, Piakura has played just 37 games in four years due to a series of injuries, but the 104kg enforcer showed glimpses of his talent last season, chalking up 18 games under Walters.

Brendan Piakura has the physical presence to dominate on an edge. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Piakura has had to start from scratch under Maguire and there is a view he is still coming to terms with the work ethic required to succeed as an NRL professional.

Piakura exhibited his brute strength with a savage front-on shot on Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth last week and Maguire has no doubt the Queensland under-18s forward has the talent to wear Maroon at senior Origin level.

But for now, Maguire has challenged Piakura to display a consistent edge in Broncos colours - starting against the Tigers.

“I think he is learning the game at a different level with the players around him as well,” Maguire said.

“Having ‘Hunty’ (Ben Hunt), ‘Reyno’ (Adam Reynolds), ‘Payno’ (Payne Haas) and ‘Patty’ (Pat Carrigan), you learn a lot from each other.

“If you apply that, those sorts of things (Origin selection) tend to sort themselves out when you have rep teams in front of you.

Brendan Piakura (centre) has been challenged by coach Michael Maguire (R) to improve his consistency. Picture: Adam Head

“But we have to get the job done here so they (Queensland) do look at him.

“Brendan has been great. Unfortunately I have a few guys I have to select from and the way ‘Brendy’ has gone through his pre-season, he has grown a lot and I’m looking forward to seeing that displayed on the park.”

Piakura will further stiffen Brisbane’s impressive defensive wall in the opening month, but Maguire also wants to see the Broncos find their attacking groove against the Tigers.

“Reyno and Hunt are growing together too ... our attack, we are working hard to get that at a higher level,” he said.

“We’ve had to face a bit of offence over the last few weeks so it would be nice to get our attack where we would like it.”