Cronk’s surprising call on next Maroons hit man

Brendan Piakura is fighting to break into the Brisbane starting side but he’s an Origin player of the future, according to Maroons great Cooper Cronk.

He may have lost his starting spot at Brisbane, but hit man Brendan Piakura is poised in the years to come to break into the Origin arena, according to Cooper Cronk.

Back-rower Piakura has been named to return to the Broncos’ starting side against the Wests Tigers on Saturday after Jordan Riki was rubbed out for two weeks for a high tackle on Jack Bostock.

Riki’s suspension opens the door for Piakura, who started under Kevin Walters last year but has found himself behind Jack Gosiewski in the pecking order under Michael Maguire in 2025.

He underlined his potential with a massive hit on Herbie Farnworth during last week’s derby win over the Dolphins.

And he has already caught Billy Slater’s eye after he was brought into Maroons camp as 19th man for game one last year.

Cronk, a Queensland, Melbourne and Sydney Rooster great, said while Piakura might not be able to force his way into a Maroon jersey this year, he said he had the makings of an Origin player.

Brendan Piakura has been tipped to break into the Origin arena. Picture: Adam Head

Piakura (second from left) was a part of the Queensland set-up as 19th man last year. Picture: Instagram

“I like what Piakura has done at Brisbane,” he told Fox Sports’ Matty and Cronk

“He played a lot more football last year under Kevvie, and he’s struggling to find his spot under Madge.

“But when he puts it together, he’s physical, he’s intimidating, he’s got leg speed. I think he’s got a good engine.”

He also nominated rugged Melbourne centre Jack Howarth and Sydney Roosters young gun Robert Toia, who has just four first-grade games to his name, to be part of Queensland’s generation next.

He said Howarth was still learning and flagged he could potentially slot into the back-row down the track but said his combination with Melbourne and Queensland five-eighth Cameron Munster would be a valuable commodity at representative level.

Of Toia, Cronk said: “He’s got some athleticism. I think it might not be this year, but at some stage, I think those three guys play (Origin).”

Jacob Preston has been hailed by Matty Johns as being part of NSW’s generation next. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Co-host Matty Johns not only tipped Bulldogs back-rower Jacob Preston to break into the NSW side, he predicted he would one day skipper his state.

Preston has been a standout for the unbeaten Bulldogs and will be competing against the likes of Hudson Young and Haumole Olakau’atu for a spot in Laurie Daley’s 17 this year.

“He’s been terrific the last two seasons, but he’s gone to another level now,” Johns said.

“He’s really fulfilling his potential. I actually think he’s a future captain of NSW.”

Johns also named Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri and Manly outside back Lehi Hopoate as future Blues.

“Since he’s come into that side, came in last year, he was fantastic,” Cronk said of Xerri.

“I would have possibly thrown him in last year.

“I think he’s I think he’s got the physique and the mentality to be a State of Origin player tomorrow.”

Originally published as Cronk’s surprising call on next Maroons hit man