NRL 2021: Brisbane Broncos star Kotoni Staggs says he’s the right person for the five-eighth role
Comeback kid Kotoni Staggs says his ball-running capabilities will be the perfect fit for five-eighth at the Brisbane Broncos. So why is the explosive star returing in a different role?
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Kotoni Staggs has confirmed he will wear the Broncos’ No. 6 jersey next year as the never-ending game of musical chairs at Brisbane’s scrumbase continues.
Broncos coach Kevin Walters will field his eighth different halves combination of the season when Tyson Gamble and Brodie Croft combine against Cronulla at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
Walters’ desperate search for a successful scrumbase pairing has been indicative of Brisbane’s shocking season, with the Broncos now fighting to avoid claiming back-to-back wooden spoons.
But there appears to be hope on the horizon for long-suffering Broncos fans.
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Staggs has been earmarked to play five-eighth next year alongside South Sydney halfback Adam Reynolds, who will join Brisbane on a three-year contract from 2022.
Staggs, 22, is Brisbane’s most explosive ball-runner and will make his return from a knee reconstruction at centre against the Sharks in the first step towards a move to the halves next year.
“As a young kid growing up I played a lot of five-eighth,” Staggs said.
“I love getting my hands on the ball early and you get that at five-eighth.
“You do have to pass and stuff, but we’ve got a good halfback coming next year that can organise and run the team.
“You always need a half that’s a ball-runner as well and that’s what I bring to the position.”
Staggs has not played since September last year when his knee exploded in the final game of the season against North Queensland.
He has endured a long recovery from the serious injury and wants to ease his way back into the NRL in the familiar position of right centre instead of going straight to five-eighth.
“I’m focussed on playing centre for the rest of this season,” he said.
“It’s my call. Coming off an ACL, it’s a big injury. I don’t want to put myself under too much pressure.
“I want to go into a position I know how to play and am good at as well. That’s a call I made and Kevvie agrees with me.
“To play five-eighth I will need a pre-season under my belt. I’m not looking at playing five-eighth any time soon.
“I just want to get out there first and play a bit of football and see where I go from there.
“Maybe after a few games and everything is going my way I might end up having a shot there but in the back of my head is me playing centre and finishing off the season.
“Hopefully I can get a pre-season there and I might see myself there next year.”
After a memorable Round 11 win against the Roosters in Sydney, the Broncos have suffered four straight losses and conceded 176 points at an average of 44 per game.
They are sitting last on the ladder, with a bye in hand, and have nine games to turn it around and avoid collecting the club’s second wooden spoon.
Staggs said the Broncos were desperate to find form and he couldn’t wait to get back on the field.
“We’re not in a good position on the ladder and that’s in our hands to fix,” he said.
“We don’t want to end up with the wooden spoon again. We’re going to do everything we can to win some games. Hopefully we can finish on a positive and a bit higher on the ladder.
“It’s been hard watching the boys on the sideline, especially with the tough times we’ve been going through.
“I can’t wait to get back out there.”
Staggs reveals how he will turn his career around
Troubled Brisbane star Kotoni Staggs admits it is time to grow up and has vowed to become a leader at the Broncos as he fights to save his career in the NRL.
Bad boy Staggs will wear Broncos colours for the first time in nine months when he returns from a knee reconstruction in Sunday’s clash with Cronulla at Suncorp Stadium.
But Brisbane’s strike weapon hasn’t just endured on-field heartache, with Staggs having been embroiled in two drunken off-field dramas that saw him fined a total of $30,000 and recently banned for two games by the NRL.
Staggs’ suspension will be lifted this week but he is still undergoing an education and behaviour program after being warned by NRL chief Andrew Abdo to shape up or risk being deregistered.
The 22-year-old is regarded as an ill-disciplined problem child but Staggs has pledged to repair his image with Broncos bosses, fans and NRL hierarchy – starting this week against the Sharks.
“I’ve put my hand up for the mistakes I’ve made off the field,” Staggs said.
“Everyone makes mistakes at different times in their lives and no-one is perfect, but I’m living and learning my lessons and from here onwards I want to be the best person I can be and be a role model.
“What has come out with these incidents – it’s not really me. I’m a better person than that and I’m not just letting myself down at the end of the day, I’m letting down my family and my teammates and the fans.
“That’s pretty sad for me but now it’s time to get my head in the right place and move forward, and I promise I’m doing that.”
Staggs was condemned by Abdo in the pre-season for firing a homophobic slur at a fan who had asked for a photo at a country NSW pub, before he was ejected from a Brisbane venue in April after making drunken, unwanted advances to a woman.
Staggs became one of Brisbane’s highest-paid players when he signed a four-year, $2.8 million extension in May, but he risks having his lucrative Broncos contract torn up by the NRL if he transgresses again.
“I’ve spoken with Kotoni and we’ve discussed his situation and his indiscretions. He knows exactly what he needs to do to get back on the field,” Abdo said.
“Together, with the Broncos, we’ve put the education and training programs in place to support Kotoni in rehabilitating. He’s in the process of completing those programs.
“There’s no doubt he’s a talented athlete with the potential to be a successful player.
“Ultimately though, it’s up to Kotoni to make the positive changes to get his career back on the right path.”
Staggs was on the verge of State of Origin selection last year before his knee exploded in the final game of the NRL season as the Broncos collected the wooden spoon.
At his best, the NSW product is one of Brisbane’s most exciting prospects and the Broncos won a bidding war to keep him at Red Hill amid his behavioural issues.
Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy has been overseeing Staggs’ return to the NRL and said the club had high hopes for the explosive ball-runner.
“Our commitment to Kotoni is not just to get him back on the field,” he said.
“It’s a journey to ensure he can grow into a position of leadership and achieve his potential, not just on-field but off-field.”
Staggs will make his return at centre against the Sharks but coach Kevin Walters plans to shift him to five-eighth next season.
Ahead of his 48th NRL game, Staggs said he was ready to embrace more responsibility on and off the field.
“I want to be a leader,” he said.
“I want to help my teammates as much as I can, I want to continue to grow and help the younger players out and be a leader and a mentor.
“A few guys have chosen to leave the Broncos but there are even more key players who’ve chosen to stay, and others like Adam Reynolds (South Sydney halfback) who are coming to our club, so we’ve got a lot to look forward to in the future.
“Coming through as a young fella at the Broncos, I always wanted to be in a position where I could sign a big contract with this club because it’s where I want to be, and now there a lot of younger fellas in the team and I want to stay here for another four years and help those younger boys come through.”
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