Unable to fly home after Brisbane’s epic qualifying final win over Canberra after a suspected facial fracture, it seemed injury was once again going to cruel the season for Brendan Piakura.
However, the Broncos second-rower wasn’t going to let the potential setback faze him, sleeping comfortably in the back seat as he was driven home by the club’s wellbeing manager Adam Walsh.
Brendan Piakura in action against the Raiders in their qualifying final win.
©NRL Images
This week cleared of any damage to his eye and named to start against the Panthers in their sold-out preliminary final on Sunday, Piakura was just excited to have the opportunity to play in one of the biggest games of his career.
“I can’t wait to be honest, the boys are firing, they’re ready,” Piakura said.
“I know they’ll be ready, so I just can’t wait to get out there.”
A member of the team that lost the grand final in 2023, Piakura said there were no lingering scars and this season, there was a belief building around the club that they could go all the way.
“It’s a fun vibe, we get to go back into the finals and hopefully finish what we could have done in ‘23,” Piakura told NRL.com.
“Well, that’s the plan anyway.
“Everyone’s focused, everyone’s ready to ready to go. It’s exciting.
“(The team are) definitely growing in confidence, growing as a team … We all know what our role is.
Brendan Piakura celebrates a try.
©NRL Images
“Each player that turns up, he just does his role and that’s pretty much it; next man up mentality sort of thing.”
A striking talent, Piakura has grown as a player this year, but has also suffered his fair share of injuries, including three head knocks.
However, his time on the sideline has taught him the value of patience and also, the value of the jersey, with coach Michael Maguire proving he has no qualms shaking up his lineup.
“It’s definitely been a different year, scary at times, but … you just roll with the punches, follow the protocols and you’ll get through it … follow the instructions of the medical staff,” Piakura said.
“Definitely had to be patient, be honest as well. You have only get one brain, so really have to look after it. I feel perfectly fine now, so I’m ready to go.
“I always say, the jersey’s not yours.
“Jet Ski (Jack Gosiewski), he started this year, then Hunty (Jaiyden Hunt) came in and me, so we have got depth, any player in the squad can play NRL in any game.
“It’s exciting and it’s good for the squad.”
Broncos and Cook Islands forwards Brendan Piakura and Xavier Willison.
©Chloe Davis / NRL Images
While Billy Walters (ACL) and Pat Carrigan (suspension) will miss Sunday’s blockbuster the return of Adam Reynolds, Ezra Mam and Xavier Willison is significant.
A fellow Cook Islander, Piakura said he was keen to link with Willison in this year’s Pacific Championships, which kick off on October 18.
The Cook Islands Aitu face Fiji in Port Moresby on the opening day of the tournament before fronting up to hometown heroes PNG Kumuls the following week.
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“I’ll definitely be playing for Cookies at the end of the year if I am fit and healthy,” Piakura said.
“That’ll be exciting too, always good playing for my country, I am a proud Cook Islander.
“I have never played in PNG, so that will be a cool experience. All the boys tell us stories every single time they play up in PNG so it sounds exciting.
“It’s always special (to play for the Cook Islands), both my parents are from there.
“I’m a full Cook Islander, so it’s very special playing for my little, small nation.
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“I wish that all the other boys (who are eligible) would come back and play.
“That would be awesome because we are a strong, little country … It would be cool if we could be like Samoa and get all the boys back to play.
“That’s what we want in the upcoming years, so hopefully they’ll change (allegiances). Definitely, that’s exciting when I hear that hopefully some of the boys (Isaiya Katoa, Josh Papalii) will play for Cook Islands one day …
“X [Willison] is Cookie, so I’ve been chatting with him.
“He’s pretty on board with playing for the Cooks, so hopefully he pulls through.”