Broncos Roster, Signings and Rumours Discussion 2023
- Thread starter BrentTatesChin
- Start date
Riki has big muscles, but little upside.
He rarely runs a good line and couldn’t catch a ball to save himself in the second half of 2022.
You could have replaced him with just about any fringe second rower (e.g. Hosking) and got at least the same output.
I’m not saying we should flick him, but unless he improves, and fast, he should have no place in the 17.
- Jan 25, 2014
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Please, you call them big muscles?
He's shown quite a few times he's got upside, when he gets it right he's very hard to stop. He hasn't been playing league for that long, consistency is going to be something he'll struggle with. As his development progresses, that will come and he'll be a better player.
Patience. It takes time. He's cheap at the moment, not much risk on our end.
- Sep 6, 2013
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Based on performances last year, Robati was projecting to be a better player but Robati through his own doing is likely out of contention. That leaves Piakura and he was awful to end last season. Riki may have stagnated but he’ll start round 1 because his competition have shot themselves in the foot or in Robati’s case, handled things poorly (see what I did there?).
- Mar 14, 2008
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Every player has upside, you don't become a professionally contracted player without some upside. It's called potential. You either fulfill it or you don't. Riki is a long way from fulfilling it. He might come good, but as of right now you can count on one hand the amount of good games he's had for us.
He needs to improve significantly this season.
He needs to improve significantly this season.
- Sep 6, 2013
- 55,888
- 68,147
I feel like we said the same thing last season and he didn't. Hopefully second time's the charm.
- Mar 14, 2008
- 9,265
- 11,929
This will be his third full season with us, that's enough to get a fair idea.
upthebroncs
NRL Player
- Oct 16, 2016
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- 1,608
We need to just stick him at prop. He could obviously turn into a Tino / Tapine type player in the middle if he put his mind to it..
Financeguy
NRL Player
- Apr 24, 2013
- 2,093
- 3,322
Not sure he has the same physicality or aggression as Tapine and Tino. Both those players take the fight to the opposition and make it personal...not sure i have seen that in Riki.
Mind you i am not opposed to giving it a go if we are down on middles as he is bog average as a back rower...
yeah me too
allstars game when he first came in showed good aggression
upthebroncs
NRL Player
- Oct 16, 2016
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- 1,608
He should be dumped out of the squad if he can't find that physicality or mental toughness... This is the NRL baby
All he'll need to do to start with is hold onto the ball and run it hard.. make his tackles.. then can go from there.. He's definitely not who we need in the right edge backrow
Financeguy
NRL Player
- Apr 24, 2013
- 2,093
- 3,322
The point is just because he has the same height and weight as Tapine doesnt mean he will mirror how he plays by changing his position.
upthebroncs
NRL Player
- Oct 16, 2016
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- 1,608
Mate, that's too obvious to bother stating. I posted it the info on dimensions so that noone had to debate it.
It's up to the coaching staff to drill it into him how he should be playing if he wants to stay in the 17.. then up to Riki to succeed.
We should learn from last year.. Riki was one of the worst parts of our team.. Ruined so many plays.. Something should change there on the right edge or Kev should get sacked.
Wolfie
International Captain
- Jan 14, 2015
- 23,693
- 39,122
Thats the big issue, same with Payne Haas. Big humans, no physicality, and i dont think you can coach that into a player personally. Look at players like Tom Gilbert or Gilly in his prime, not huge forwards, but aggressive and physical.
upthebroncs
NRL Player
- Oct 16, 2016
- 2,555
- 1,608
I'm backing the human brain to be a bit pliable. Grab him by both shoulders and shake him real hard for at least a minute.. Then tell him he's playing prop and he's going to run over the opposition.. He might start to believe it and actually carry it out
upthebroncs
NRL Player
- Oct 16, 2016
- 2,555
- 1,608
Round 1.. I'd go...
1. Walsh
2. Oates
3. Farnworth
4. Mariner / Hoeter / Arthars
5. Cobbo / Pereira
6. Mam
7. Reynolds
8. Haas
9. Smoothy
10. Flegler
11. Capewell
12. Staggs
13. Carrigan
________________
14. Paix
15. Riki
16. Jensen
17. Willison
18. Bayliss
19. Piakura
Happy to drop Riki from the bench for Bayliss or Piakura
I wanna keep Mariner long term but would be happy if Hoeter slotted in short term.. and I want Staggs to focus more on his running game and involvement. Hence that move.
I think Smoothy is probably our best bet at 9 to start the year, just is the most complete player we have in the hooker position..
1. Walsh
2. Oates
3. Farnworth
4. Mariner / Hoeter / Arthars
5. Cobbo / Pereira
6. Mam
7. Reynolds
8. Haas
9. Smoothy
10. Flegler
11. Capewell
12. Staggs
13. Carrigan
________________
14. Paix
15. Riki
16. Jensen
17. Willison
18. Bayliss
19. Piakura
Happy to drop Riki from the bench for Bayliss or Piakura
I wanna keep Mariner long term but would be happy if Hoeter slotted in short term.. and I want Staggs to focus more on his running game and involvement. Hence that move.
I think Smoothy is probably our best bet at 9 to start the year, just is the most complete player we have in the hooker position..
- Mar 4, 2008
- 34,779
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Every time you name a team, I find myself thanking God you don't have anything to do with selecting our team
