‘Start rolling your socks up’: Vegas verdict delivered for wounded Broncos
“He’s a tough guy, and he always wants to put his best foot forward for the team and the boys.”
Piakura ensured the club’s post-Kurt Capewell era would be a seamless transition with a trial triumph over the Cowboys on Sunday, with the player quickly scoring two tries on the back of a breakout 2023 campaign.
But the sight of him leaving the field with a low-grade medial cruciate ligament strain threw the Bronco’s round one preparation into chaos, and left them to ponder how they would fill his void should he fail to board the plane
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The 21-year-old edge forward did, however, appear to be heading to the United States on Thursday morning when he was observed finishing fitness tests on the sidelines at Red Hill.
Before their historic season opener against the Sydney Roosters, Riki, who is recovering from shoulder surgery that has left him limited in his activities during the preseason, has observed a significant shift in Piakura’s work ethic.
After seeing him achieve personal bests in all strength and conditioning tests, the Kiwi second-rower was confident his colleague was ready to make an impact on March 3 in Las Vegas.
“He’s good; we’re extremely lucky to have such a professional medical staff here at the club, and I know that they’re doing their best to look after him and see what he needs to be done,” Riki said.
“They did a good job for me in the off-season for my shoulder, so I’m very keen to get out there in round one and test my new shoulder out.
Brendan has come through big time. Regretfully, Capes left for the Warriors, and I believe the management team and [coach] Kev Walters took a seat with him and encouraged him to pull up his socks a bit.
“He’s taken off right away, setting personal bests in the gym, fitness, and other areas, and he’s taking ownership of his role.”
“He was very strong and killing it [during the trial], so I’m sure the professional team will help him heal his knee and he should be ready to go for round one.”
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When questioned about the Broncos’ “healing session” that involved replaying last year’s grand final, Riki seemed at ease and confident while speaking with the media on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old says it was a “heartbreak” to watch their shocking surrender to a Nathan Cleary-inspired Panthers team, losing by two points in the end after leading 24-8.
Riki was determined to get over that failure and believed that Brisbane had the players to finally win the championship, even with the loss of Capewell, Thomas Flegler, Keenan Palasia, and Herbie Farnworth.
Furthermore, he disclosed that his shoulder troubles wouldn’t be a reason to worry.
It’s nice; the coaching staff has made an effort to hold me back a little bit. I wanted to participate in a few of the trial games there, but I think some of the lads get irritated with me for trying to push myself too hard during practice.
But sometimes, that’s simply who I am. In my training, I strive to compete just as I do on the pitch. I can’t wait to climb up and give this shoulder a go.
