Brendan Piakura has provided an insight into why he failed to retain his place in the Queensland Maroons squad, revealing the taxing impact rugby league’s plateaus could have on young players.
Piakura and his Broncos teammates Selwyn Cobbo and Ezra Mam – all aged 22 or under – were omitted from the game two State of Origin team.
Cobbo was the only member of the trio to take the field in the series opener, joining the fray following Reece Walsh’s concussion seven minutes into the clash.
But the Brisbane centre was not selected, with Queensland coach Billy Slater citing the wear and strain the livewire had been under, revealing he had been playing with pain-killing injections.
Before the Broncos’ clash with the Warriors, Piakura declared Cobbo was “flying now” and ready to take his place alongside returning winger Jesse Arthars, who trained strongly on Monday ahead of his hopeful comeback from a fractured jaw.
The rookie edge forward admitted that Origin preparation, amid the rigours of the NRL season, had taken a toll on the young contingent before last weekend’s bye, but the experience of being under Slater’s tutelage had ignited the fire to return to the fore.
“He just said that we’re young and need to have a rest, and I’m totally grateful for what he did for me and taking me to my first camp,” Piakura said.
“It’s unreal, all the brains in that squad and the coaching staff especially, there’s a lot of high-IQ footy players, so [there were] a lot of brains to pick off in that camp.
“Just his [Slater’s] detail in everything, I think that’s what most of the boys have been saying about Billy Slater’s coaching. Just the details in every position on the field and what you need to do in the game as well, it was a good camp.”
Piakura could be crucial to the Broncos’ hopes of overturning a run of three-straight losses, with his back row partner Jordan Riki suspended for the next two weeks.
Coach Kevin Walters may also opt to keep his State of Origin stars on ice for the trip to New Zealand, depending on the workload the likes of key forwards Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan take in the Origin match on Wednesday night.
Should the pair not line up, pressure will build on the remaining members of the pack to find another gear, having come under fire for not replicating their respective feats throughout the recent losing streak.
Bench middle Kobe Hetherington believed there was enough cavalry to offset the potential loss of the marquee duo.
He said Brisbane’s skyrocketing error rate (180, and 44 in the past three games) had led to fatigue on the field – making 360 more tackles than their rivals in the recent losses – and the return of Arthars would help take the heat off.
“His back field carries, and he’s one tough bugger too, so he’s going to be good for us. It’s a big thing for us forwards – those plays one, two and three, especially in getting out of your own half – and Jesse is one of the best at doing that,” Hetherington said.
“I’m confident as, obviously we’ve got big X [Xavier Willison] who’s been playing some good footy and CJ [Corey Jensen] as well, he’s in good form.
“Myself, I have to step up, and I’ll step up if Patty isn’t right to play. But hopefully, they’re all right to play.”
Sydney Morning Herald
