NRL: Broncos aiming for ultimate response to 2022 collapse

September 18, 2023 9:46 am.by Wayne Heming

Brisbane Broncos player Jordan Riki — Star second-rower Jordan Riki says last year’s late-season collapse has driven the Broncos to strive for new heights in 2023.

A commitment hatched with Brisbane Broncos teammate Kurt Capewell following a gut-wrenching NRL finals fadeout last season is driving young Kiwi forward Jordan Riki to play his best football.

Before the season kicked off, Riki and Capewell put their heads together and devised ways they could each contribute more to the team by improving areas of their games.

Riki’s focus was on improving his kick-chase game – much to the pain of young Brisbane utility Tristan Sailor, who was often on the end of his full-blooded charges.

“We had a look last year as players at where we were missing things and where we could help out the team,” said Riki.

“In the pre-season, poor Tristan, he was copping it – I was definitely trying to hit him as hard as I could on the kick-chase.

“Also, Darius Boyd as well, who has been a great figure in our game, helped me out a lot.

“Darius was giving me some great advice, and other players like Gillo (Matt Gillette) and Sammy Thaiday were helping out.

“Those guys have been in finals and won premierships, and to have them mould us into hardened Broncos players is great.”

Riki said getting to Adam Reynolds’ deep kicks as quickly as he could and containing the opposition helped out his middle players.

“I’m just doing my job. It’s one of my roles and I try and time it so it helps the boys,” he explained.

Riki and the Broncos are now two wins away from achieving NRL premiership glory and erasing bitter memories of last year, when the club crashed out of the finals picture with a horror finish to the season.

But prior to that, it was also tough going for Riki and others who battled through the difficult COVID days and were part of the first Brisbane Broncos side to collect the wooden spoon.

“They were definitely dark times,” Riki said.

“The way we just missed out on the top eight, it definitely burns us.

“We want to take it out this year and show everyone we are the dominant team and return Brisbane back on top where they belong.”

Waikato-born Riki, who has been part of the Broncos since he was 15 years old, showed his loyalty to the club that gave him his big opportunity by being one of the first players to re-sign after their wooden spoon season.

“I’m huge of loyalty. The Broncos gave me an opportunity when I was 15 years old through their academy system,” said the 23-year-old second-rower.

“A lot of us guys came through that system, like me and Herbie (Farnworth), Corey Paix, Thomas Flegler, Keenan Palasia – the list goes on.

“With more maturity and more games under our belt, we understand the game and our jobs, but the job is not done yet – we all know that.”

The Broncos will host the New Zealand Warriors in a preliminary final this Saturday night as they chase their first premiership since 2006.

Top NRL bookmakers have Brisbane pegged as hot favourites at -384.62, with the Warriors paying +290 to spring an upset at Suncorp Stadium.

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