Riki relishing forward competition at Broncos

Back-rower Jordan Riki says the continued improvement of Brisbane’s young forwards is ensuring every member of the pack stays on their toes as they push for a spot in the top four.

With Maroons players Kurt Capewell and Patrick Carrigan missing the Broncos’ last two games, coupled with prop Payne Haas being out injured, the likes of rookie Zac Hosking and second-year forward Kobe Hetherington have stepped in to fill to void admirably.

Riki said he has personally benefitted from knowing the likes of Hosking, TC Robati and Brendan Piakura are pushing hard to take his starting spot in the second row.  

“100 percent [I can’t take it for granted]. I was saying earlier in the year, we have Brendan and TC as well knocking on my door,” Riki said.

“Hosko as well has been playing unreal the last two weeks.

It’s a healthy competition and we all love it, and I think the really cool thing as well is that we all get along really well.

Jordan Riki

“I have been really proud of Hosko, he has really stepped up… he has been really fighting to get his NRL debut for many years and when he finally got it, he absolutely killed it.”

This Thursday night Riki and Capewell face arguably the NRL’s form back-row pairing when they take on Parramatta, with Isaiah Papali’i and Shaun Lane both playing big minutes and averaging over 100 metres per game this season.  

Papali’i, who Riki spent time with earlier this year in Kiwis camp, has enjoyed a huge past month which has included scoring three tries in his last four games.

“They’ve been in great form both of them, so it’s going to be an awesome challenge for us,” Riki said.

“Their forward pack are very physical.

“We really want to try and get up in their face as much as we can and limit their running time.

“They are fighting for a top four spot as much as us, so it’s going to be a really good game.”

With the Broncos and Eels tied on points in fifth and sixth position respectively, the match shapes as a key one for the top four hopes of both sides.

It will also be a crucial in setting the tone for the return match in a month’s time when Brisbane host Parramatta at Suncorp Stadium, one of just three clashes they have remaining against current top eight sides.

Riki meanwhile spoke of the happiness he has felt watching his former housemate Patrick Carrigan star in the Origin arena this year, after suffering a torn ACL in 2021.

Carrigan, who debuted for Queensland in Game I, picked up the 2022 Wally Lewis Medal as the best player in the Ampol State of Origin Series.

“He’s sort of like an older brother to me, so I just keep telling him ‘man I am proud of you’ and stuff like that,” Riki said of Carrigan. 

“Patty did really well in the Origin.

“Patty Carrigan is just one of those guys that just puts his head down and keeps working hard.  

“You know what he’s going to give every week and he does the same at training as well.”