By Nick Wright
Broncos forward Jordan Riki has vowed to make life a nightmare for rival rookie fullback Taine Tuaupiki, refusing to go into his shell upon his return from suspension.
The Kiwi star’s comeback from two games on the sidelines – after he was issued a grade-two careless high tackle charge – has come at the perfect time, with Brendan Piakura serving the same sentence and Jack Gosiewski expected to miss eight weeks with a fractured arm.
During the 25-year-old’s breakout year of 2023, his kick pressure was the foundation of his game – Tristan Sailor on the receiving end at training before his defection to St Helens put Latrell Siegwalt and Reece Walsh in the firing line.
Jordan Riki returns for the Broncos this week.Credit: Getty Images
Now in his sights is “good mate” New Zealand Warriors No.1 Tuaupiki, who comes in as Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad recovers from concussion.
The late-blooming Gold Coast product has played all five games this season on the wing, but proved last year he had the makings of an NRL fullback in the club’s shock Magic Round win against the Penrith Panthers.
But he can expect to be met with a rampaging Riki, who pledged to “have a few conversations” with Adam Reynolds about bombarding the No.1 with his kicking game.
“I’ll obviously do as much as I can to help the boys out, and if that means I’ve got to sprint and get down to land on Taine, I’ll be able to do that,” Riki said
After watching his side struggle for aggression in their defeat to the Roosters – with coach Michael Maguire lamenting that his side “did not turn up physical enough to get the win” – Riki has vowed to bring that to the fore.
“We all came in on Monday and had a huge discussion. Honestly, it hurt me a little bit last week not being able to be out there with the boys,” he said.
“The game last week stung me a lot, and in the sheds as well, there were a lot of heads down and boys upset. I can only go out there and do the best I can and not let the outside noise get to me.”
After being outmuscled by the Roosters, Riki is determined to provide that aggression, having hit career-best form before his suspension with 111 running metres and 3.5 tackle busts per game.
But the side will need fellow edge forward Jaiyden Hunt to follow that lead.
Hunt will have the chance to make himself a staple of Maguire’s pack in Gosiewski’s absence, given the first-year mentor’s defence-first attitude.
Piakura, while the more lethal attacking threat with a hitman mentality off the ball, has shown some deficiencies, finishing seventh among second rowers last year for missed tackles, while missing four in his first start of the season against the Tigers.
Hunt, off contract at season’s end, revealed he was yet to launch extension negotiations with the club, but was adamant he had the ability to contend for a regular starting spot.
“I grew up here, I’m from Brisbane and all my family is here, so I’d love to stay here. But I haven’t started any negotiations, I haven’t really worried about that,” Hunt said.
“I’ve just started my second week playing NRL this week, so it’s just about working hard and staying in the team. If Madge likes what he sees, we’ll go from there.”
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