The Brisbane Broncos have turned to the wrestling mat for a physical and gruelling session as they prepare to up the ante against the Warriors with their contact.
Broncos second-rower Jordan Riki, returning from a two-week suspension, said the side needed to “man up” in Auckland on Saturday night.
The Broncos copped a rocket from coach Michael Maguire after their tepid 26-16 loss to Sydney Roosters last week.
“It was a harsh lesson. We needed to be more physical,” coach Michael Maguire said after the loss.
“The Roosters turned up and had more physicality. I know it’s in our team, but we have to look at ourselves.”
That was a stern message to the Broncos pack that they needed to lift their game.
Club legend Trevor Gillmeister said this week the Broncos need to start “whacking and hurting blokes” with their defensive fortitude.
Twice this year, including the 32-22 loss to Canberra in round two, the Broncos have failed to muscle up in the forwards and paid the price.
For 25 years the Broncos were coached by Wayne Bennett, and while they did have a wrestling coach at stages in that time, it is not an area of play that Bennett focused on.
Jordan Riki wants to see a more physical Broncos side for the remainder of the season. (AAP: Dan Himbrechts)
It is almost a cultural thing at the Broncos that their wrestling technique and ability to slow the play-the-ball down is not as adept as other clubs.
Riki said a full-squad wrestling session welcomed the players on Monday.
“We have got to man up and front up,” he said.
“On Monday we had a fairly decent wrestle session. It was pretty physical.
“A few of the boys that played cup on the weekend came in and took their part in the wrestle group.
“I’ve had quite a few conversations with Madge (Maguire) and defence coach Benny Teo as well, and I definitely do believe that’s one thing I can bring, a bit of physicality.
“It’s not just myself. I feel like everyone across the park needs 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 there and do the job.”
Riki was devastated to miss the clash with the Roosters.
“In the sheds there were a lot of heads down and boys upset. It stung me not being there and being a part of that,” he said.
“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.”
Riki was out of action for two weeks due to a high shot, but said he was not going to change his aggressive approach despite the NRL crackdown on contact with the head.
“It is a bit frustrating at times,” he said.
“There have been times when myself and a few other people, not meaning to, come off after making dangerous contact.
“We know what we have got to do, and I don’t think our physicality will go away. We’ve got to be smarter.”
AAP
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