When faced with a particularly enthralling match-up, something ignites within Kotoni Staggs.
“I’ve had some class centres in front me, and I just want to be better than that opposition number,” he tells this masthead.
According to Broncos coach Michael Maguire, that trait has him on a collision course with a State of Origin recall.
The Broncos’ strike centre has saved his finest performances for vendetta missions – his clashes with Maroons ace Valentine Holmes and Cronulla powerhouse Siosifa Talakai are prime examples.
That narrative had another chapter inscribed on Friday night, when Staggs proved a match-winner in Brisbane’s 20-12 triumph of the Dolphins as he opposed former teammate Herbie Farnworth.
While his centre partner Gehamat Shibasaki stole the show with a two-try man-of-the-match performance, Staggs’ individual effort running through Farnworth to score was a signal that the quad issue that had cruelled his season was behind him.
The 26-year-old finished with 128 running metres, and while he missed five tackles, he was met with the most daunting of challenges of his squad as Farnworth (196 metres, 10 tackle busts) worked tirelessly in a desperate attempt to keep his side alive.
That’s just how he has always been, Staggs says: the greater the challenge, the more determined he is to conquer it.
“I just play my game the way I want to play it. I don’t let anyone else step in and try to say what I need to do,” Staggs says.
“You see guys going through some good times in their teams, but I think it’s just different when you come against us. Everyone loves playing the Broncos, and I do lift a little bit more.
“It’s a challenge for myself knowing the other centre might be on a good streak. Whoever’s in front of me, it’s a good challenge for me not letting them make a fool of me.”
Staggs looms as a pivotal retention priority for the Broncos, who have been left to juggle his future and that of fellow off-contract star Selwyn Cobbo.
Staggs and Maguire have been clear on their desire to continue working together, and the latter is adamant a comeback to the New South Wales State of Origin fold awaits.
While Maguire opted for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Stephen Crichton, Latrell Mitchell and Bradman Best when he coached the Blues to a series triumph last year, he declared “an opportunity can come very quickly in that space”, and he backed Staggs to make his first Origin appearance since 2022.
“I know how hungry he is to be able to put himself in that space. When they are like that, it’s good to coach players like that,” Maguire said.
“I have known Kotoni a little bit over time. I’ve had a few discussions with him throughout last year and obviously the opportunities for him in the Origin space.
“But I have been really impressed with how he has gone about building the game, and his hunger and passion for the Broncos. That’s one thing that has really stood out.”
Sydney Morning Herald
