NRL 2021: Jordan Riki re-signs as Broncos up the ante to keep Brendan Piakura

Coach Kevin Walters will step up the fight to keep rookie sensation Brendan Piakura after the Broncos kept hold of boom back-rower Jordan Riki.

Broncos young gun Jordan Riki. Picture: Getty Images

Broncos coach Kevin Walters will ramp up the fight to keep Brendan Piakura after staving off poaching bids from two NRL rivals to retain boom back-rower Jordan Riki.

As revealed by The Courier-Mail last month, Broncos hierarchy moved to upgrade Riki, who had fielded interest from a Sydney-based club and the Warriors after the Kiwi outfit successfully poached his Brisbane teammate Reece Walsh last week.

But Walters has won the battle for the off-contract Riki, who has signed a three-year extension in a coup for the Broncos before Saturday night’s clash against the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium.

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Jordan Riki has signed a three-year extension at the Broncos. Picture: Getty Images

The Riki development comes as Walters prepares to meet Piakura on Wednesday for a crucial round of negotiations that will determine whether the 18-year-old joins the Bulldogs or Titans next season.

Piakura toured Canterbury’s facilities last week and has now had two meetings with coach Trent Barrett, who will be in Brisbane this week for the Bulldogs match against the Broncos.

Fearing Piakura was about to quit the Broncos, Walters has become involved in negotiations and vowed to fight tooth-and-nail to keep Brisbane’s two back-row young guns at Red Hill for the long term.

“I don’t want the Broncos losing these kids,” Walters said.

“We lost ‘Walshy’ to the Warriors but I’m working hard to keep Brendan.

“I’m doing everything I can to make sure our best young talents stay — you can quote me on that. We’re in talks with Brendan’s management, we’re aware he has interest but we don’t want to be losing our best kids.”

The Warriors and a Sydney-based suitor attempted to prise Riki out of the Broncos, but the 106kg hulk said he never wanted to leave the club that gave him his NRL debut.

“I’m very excited and I can’t wait to rip in for the next three years,” he said.

“I’ve made a lot of close friends here at the Broncos – I call them family now – so I’m really comfortable here and I’m just so grateful to be staying.

Jordan Riki had attracted interest from rival clubs. Picture: Annette Dew

“I’ve worked my butt off trying to get here and this was my dream and I’m so glad that can stay at this great club. It’s really exciting and every time I get to the stadium I have to pinch myself and remind myself that I’m a Bronco.

“I really want to work hard for the fans and my family and the people upstairs at the club behind the scenes, as well as my teammates and (coach) Kevie (Walters) and the coaching staff – it’s just really exciting to be here for the next three years.”

Walters said Riki’s signing is a critical retention strike as they move to also retain Piakura.

“Jordan is a really impressive young man and a player with enormous talent and potential who works hard to improve,” he said.

“He is exactly the kind of player we want in the Broncos jersey – we are building something special here and have started on that journey together.

“We know where are headed and we have a plan, Jordan has bought into that and wants to be a part of it, and that is something special for the whole club.”

The Piakura talks are delicately poised. Last week, Broncos insiders believed the Queensland under-18s forward was likely to leave after he fielded two-year offers worth $500,000 from the Bulldogs and Titans.

Brendan Piakura has been targeted by the Bulldogs and Titans. Picture: Annette Dew

Walters has since upped the ante, increasing Brisbane’s deal from two years to three. In total, the Broncos’ three-year package is worth $1.2 million.

But the Piakura camp is less concerned with the duration of the deal and more worried about the plight of the Broncos and where the rookie forward will get the best footballing education.

Brisbane lock Pat Carrigan rejected interest from the Bulldogs in 2018 and he hopes Piakura also stays loyal to the Broncos.

“It’s really important to keep him,” Carrigan said.

“I know what Brendan is going through. As a young kid, you are 18 and a few clubs are chasing you and it feels pretty cool.

“I love the Broncos, but ‘Brendy’ has to weigh up what is best for himself and where he can best develop. The club value him really highly and I hope he decides to put on a Broncos jumper ahead of the Bulldogs.”