By Joel Gould
Undefeated NRL leaders Brisbane are bracing themselves for a stern test from last-placed Wests Tigers on Saturday night, with the memory of a shocking loss last year still fresh in their minds.
Last year the Broncos were in fourth position and sailing towards the finals before being belted 32-18 by the Tigers in round 20 at Suncorp Stadium.
Tigers playmaker Adam Doueihi, who carved up the Broncos last season, is seen here celebrating scoring a try at Suncorp.Credit:Getty
Kevin Walters’ outfit lost five of their last six games to miss the finals. Their late-season slide can be slated to that Tigers defeat.
Tigers playmakers Adam Doueihi and Jock Madden, now at the Broncos, carved them up. Brisbane had won 10 of their previous 12 games before that.
Complacency and defensive frailty crept into their play but second-rower Jordan Riki said that would not happen again at Suncorp this time.
Former Tigers player Jock Madden is now at the Broncos.Credit:Getty
“Coming off a winning streak last year we actually lost to these guys too so it is a really big focus for us to stay humble and stay hungry,” Riki said.
“A main indicator for us in our team meeting (Tuesday) morning was to keep working hard and not go away from the little things.
“Last year we probably came into Wests Tigers feeling a bit too over-confident and they definitely stung us. We don’t want that to happen again.
“These guys have got great players all around the park and good impact players coming off the bench so we are know they are a dangerous side. They definitely taught us a lesson last year.“
The Broncos have not beaten the Tigers in Campbelltown since 2018, where they prevailed 9-7.
In 2019 the Tigers won 22-16 at Suncorp with a late winner scored by Michael Chee-Kam.
Jordan Riki of the Broncos, left, will play his 50th NRL game against the Tigers.Credit:Getty
The following year the Broncos were humiliated 48-0 at Leichhardt Oval in one of the most abysmal displays in their history, in the same season they won the wooden spoon.
It was the same old story at Suncorp in 2021 when Doueihi inspired a 42-24 victory.
Riki, who will play his 50th NRL game against the Tigers, had shoulder surgery last year in the pre-season and his defence let him down at times.
Ahead of this year he worked hard on that area of his game with defensive coach John Cartwright. He also consulted club legend Sam Thaiday.
“I have been in really close contact with Sammy. Defensively he was amazing,” Riki said. “He has been in my ear.”
The Tigers’ win over the Broncos last year was their last in the NRL. They lost their remaining five games in 2022 and the four to start the 2023 season.
– AAP
