Fresh off his most emphatic performance of the season, Brendan Piakura has vowed to ensure his exploits were no flash in the pan – and to force Queensland coach Billy Slater’s hand in ushering him into the State of Origin fold.
The Broncos star was called into camp during last year’s series defeat, but his inconsistent showings in 2025 thrust him down the pecking order behind Beau Fermor, Trent Loiero and makeshift edge forward Reuben Cotter.
Piakura’s ill-discipline and lack of consistency have cost him at times, and he was edged out for a place in Brisbane’s starting side by Jack Gosiewski, before the latter suffered a fractured arm.
Brendan Piakura on the charge for the Brisbane Broncos against the Gold Coast Titans.Credit: NRL Photos
“It just shows the jersey is not yours, you’re just a carrier,” Piakura said.
“You’ve got to keep working hard and not be complacent, and you’ll keep your jersey.”
But the 23-year-old burst to life in the 44-14 triumph of the Titans – running for 177 metres, four tackle busts and a linebreak, while laying on a try for Gehamat Shibasaki and making 26 tackles.
His 16 touches were double his season average, as he sought to inject himself into the contest.
A Maroons defeat in Perth is expected to trigger team changes for game three, with the incumbent forward pack coming under fire for the way they have been outmuscled by New South Wales in the past three encounters.
And Piakura – a renowned hitman in defence – is determined to issue a reminder of his credentials.
“I think just playing good footy will get me the call-up. If I keep playing consistently and good footy, hopefully I will get that call-up,” he said ahead of Brisbane’s clash with Cronulla on Sunday.
“I’ll just try to do my job and share the workload with the big boys up in the middle, and try to help them out wherever I can.”
While Queensland’s engine room has come under siege, the side’s one try in their past two games has members of the backline, such as 20-time veteran Valentine Holmes, in the firing line, putting Broncos winger Jesse Arthars in the frame.
Holmes has been shifted back to his preferred centre role for the clash in Perth, where he was shown up in his last outing there by Blues superstar Latrell Mitchell.
The 29-year-old admits he was left questioning whether he would be retained after the loss in Brisbane.
Murray Taulagi only just played his first game back from a calf injury in the Cowboys’ 58-4 loss to the Dolphins, while Broncos flyer Selwyn Cobbo remains in NRL exile.
That would leave Arthars and Melbourne Storm centre Jack Howarth – both extended squad members this year – as the frontrunners to unseat Holmes should the Dragons ace fail to fire.
“That was a massive opportunity for me. When I went into the camp, I just wanted to soak it all in, and I think just the intensity of the training is what I took out of it,” said Arthars, who leads the NRL this year for linebreaks (16) and sits second for tries (11).
“Everyone wants to make their Origin debut … I’ll be pushing really hard to play some good footy and hopefully get a knock on the door.
“I’ve just got to play consistent footy. I’m sure that’s the reason I would have got selected in the squad, so I just want to keep playing my best footy here at the Broncs and see what comes off the back of it.”
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
