Let's get physical: Returning Riki ready to rumble against Warriors

Slotting straight back into the starting side after serving his two-match suspension, Jordan Riki is ready to follow coach Michael Maguire’s instruction to bring more physicality for the Broncos.

After accepting a ban for a careless high tackle, Riki was forced to watch on last week as Brisbane were outmuscled by the Roosters in their upset win, with Maguire saying after the match that his side “didn’t turn up physical enough”.

This week, the team have undergone an extra wrestle session in preparation for their meeting with the Warriors, who despite missing co-captain James Fisher-Harris with a pec injury, will still present a challenge up front.

“It hurt me a little bit last week not being out there with the boys … the game last week stung me a lot and in the sheds there were a lot of heads down and boys upset,” Riki said.

“It stung me not being there ... (but this week) I can only go out and do the best I can and not let the outside noise get to me. The main thing is to get that two points and play hard and physical.

“The Warriors are a quality side, they have got a massive pack and from 1-17, they run direct and hard. For us, we have definitely got to man up and front up.

“On Monday, we had a fairly decent wrestle session ... a few of the boys that played Cup on the weekend also came in and took their part in the wrestle group, everyone is across the board on that.

“We know it is going to be a physical game, so we have to take on board everything Madge and the coaching staff have given us.

“I've had quite a few conversations with Madge and defence coach Benny Te'o as well and I definitely do believe that's one thing I can bring is a bit of physicality.

“But it's not just myself, I feel like that's everyone across the park, we need to probably man up a little bit and definitely bring the heat.

“We know that the Warriors are going to come out firing against us, but we're definitely ready to go down there and do the job.”

While overall, it has been a fairly consistent side taking to the field for the Broncos each week, it has been a revolving door in the back row with suspensions and now injury forcing changes for the past three straight weeks.

Brendan Piakura and Jack Gosiewski – who earlier this week was ruled out for eight weeks with a broken arm – both followed Riki in falling foul of the NRL Judiciary and were handed suspensions in the past two games.

Named for his second appearance of the year, backrower Jaiyden Hunt said the team had adjust to deal with the disruptions, but also knew he had an opportunity to cement his position in the side each week.

“We’ve had an unlucky start with all of us swapping in and out with suspensions, injuries and HIAs; we’ve had the next man up mentality which is getting in and doing the job,” Hunt said.

“It doesn’t matter who it is. We are tight knit and want us all to play good together as a team.

“You have those struggles, but we switched in and out throughout pre-season in case this happens.

“We all know our roles in attack and in defence. It’s just when that next person slots in, we are all right to go.

“I have to try and put my best foot forward. It is not my decision. I can only go out there and perform and play the best footy I can and it is up to Madge who he wants to pick.”

While Maguire has shaken up the team this week with a number of new faces; in the backs, the Broncos received an added boost with the competition’s leading try scorer Jesse Arthars cleared to play after the NRL’s Chief Medical Officer reviewed and downgraded a Category 1 concussion ruling made by the independent doctor during the Roosters game to a Category 2. 

The Auckland-born Māori All Star has been one the side’s best performers this season and joins Riki, also a Māori All Star representing his Waikato / Tainui iwi, in playing in front of ‘home’ supporters against the Warriors.