Jordan Riki (born 18 January 2000) is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for the Brisbane Broncos He is known for being one of the best kick chasers in the competition.
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Jordan Riki-Leigh | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 18 January 2000 Raglan, Waikato, New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 105 kg (16 st 7 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Second-row | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: [1] As of 5 September 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Background
editRiki was born Raglan, New Zealand, however, he grew up in Christchurch playing his junior footy for the Hornby Panthers. For High School he attended Roman Catholic school - Saint Thomas's of Canterbury College in Christchurch. Riki is of Māori heritage through his mother and Indigenous Australian through his biological father Jeremy John Leigh, Who passed away from Lung Cancer on 11 September 2015 at the age of 42 years.
Career
edit2020
editPrior to the season, Riki represented the Maori All Stars in their 30-16 victory over the Indigenous All Stars. Riki made his first grade debut in round 14 of the 2020 NRL season for Brisbane against the Canberra Raiders.[2]
Jordan Riki scored his first career try in round 17 of the 2020 NRL season running 40m dummying Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards during a loss against the Penrith Panthers.[3] After the match, Broncos head coach Peter Gentle told the reporters that Riki could be the long term replacement at Red Hill for the outgoing star forward David Fifita.
Riki made five appearances for Brisbane in his debut season as Brisbane finished last on the table and claimed their first wooden spoon.[4]
2021
editRiki represented the Maori All Stars in a 10 all draw against the Indigenous All Stars, scoring the first try of the game in the 49th minute. On 23 March, Riki re-signed with the Brisbane Broncos on a three-year deal till the end of 2024. In round 10 of the 2021 NRL season, Riki was sent to the sin bin during Brisbane's 50-6 loss against Manly-Warringah. Riki was also placed on report for a crusher tackle incident during the game.[5] In Round 20 of the 2021 NRL season, Riki played his best game in his career so far in Brisbane's 37-18 win over arch rivals North Queensland Cowboys. Riki scored a try, set up a try for Brodie Croft and made five tackle breaks in the win.
2022
editRiki played a total of 22 games for Brisbane in the 2022 NRL season scoring four tries. Brisbane would finish the season in 9th place on the table.[6]
2023
editRiki played a total of 22 games for Brisbane in the 2023 NRL season. Riki played in Brisbane's 26-24 loss against Penrith in the 2023 NRL Grand Final.[7]
2024
editRiki played 22 matches for Brisbane in the 2024 NRL season which saw the club miss the finals finishing 12th on the table.[8] On 27 October, Riki made his test debut for New Zealand in the 2024 Rugby League Pacific Championships against Australia in a 22-10 loss, in his hometown of Christchurch.
Honours
editIndividual
- Maori All-Star (x3): 2020, 2021, 2023
Brisbane Broncos
- NRL Grand Final Runners-up: 2023
Statistics
editClub
edit| Season | Team | Matches | Tries | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 |  Brisbane
|
5 | 1 | 4 |
| 2021 | 18 | 3 | 12 | |
| 2022 | 22 | 4 | 16 | |
| 2023 | 22 | 7 | 28 | |
| 2024 | 22 | 3 | 12 | |
| Career totals | 89 | 18 | 72 | |
Controversy
editIn September 2021, Riki was involved in a fight with teammate Thomas Flegler after a night out during Brisbane's mad monday celebrations. It was reported that Riki received a cut on his face over the incident.[9]
References
edit- ^ Rugby League Project
- ^ "Round 14 NRL team lists". NRL.com. 11 August 2020.
- ^ "Jordan Riki will never forget this moment". NRL.com. 3 September 2020.
- ^ "Brisbane get wooden spoon as North Queensland finish on a high". www.nrl.com.
- ^ "Manly thrashes Brisbane 50-6, Wests Tigers beat Newcastle 36-18 as Magic Round gets under way". www.abc.net.au.
- ^ "NRL 2022: Brisbane Broncos season review". www.sportingnews.com.
- ^ "NRL grand final 2023: Penrith Panthers defeat Brisbane Broncos – as it happened". www.theguardian.com.
- ^ "'Really can't hide': Queensland superstars back under-siege Walters amid Broncos review". www.foxsports.com.au.
- ^ "Brisbane Broncos duo Jordan Riki and Tom Flegler involved in post-season scrap". www.sportingnews.com.