Broncos coach Kevin Walters has declared Jordan Riki will be fit to take the field against the Dolphins on Friday night, after the Kiwi backrower suffered a training injury scare that threatened his availability.
Riki rolled his ankle at the club’s Red Hill base on Tuesday and was in serious doubt to line up in the Battle of Brisbane, but fought through the Captain’s Run on Thursday to secure his place.
Walters’ men could hardly afford another setback, with the comeback of fullback Reece Walsh from a facial fracture offset by the loss of halfback Adam Reynolds, prop Payne Haas, winger Deine Mariner and edge forward Brendan Piakura.
But while Riki moved with a limp in his final test before the Dolphins’ clash, Walters confirmed the 24-year-old had been cleared.
“At this stage he will, unless he pulls up sore tomorrow morning, but we expect him to play. It’s good news for Jordy, also good news for the team … he’s a player that we rely on, particularly with his efforts and the way he goes about his work,” Walters said.
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“We take players’ injuries very seriously, and if they’re not fit to play they don’t play. He’s obviously fit to play, and our medical people are confident he can get through the game.
“It was a couple of days ago, yesterday there were some doubts, to be honest, I thought he wouldn’t play, but he’s come up well.
“He’s fit, young and a healthy guy, and he’s responded nicely to all the treatments our medical staff have put to him.”