5 players Broncos should target amid Jordan Riki news

Jordan Riki has been tipped to leave the Brisbane Broncos due to an alleged falling out with head coach Michael Maguire.

The pair are said not to see eye to eye, meaning the starting second rower is likely to depart Suncorp Stadium after the end of the 2027 season.

Riki is available to speak to rival clubs on November 1, and the 26-year-old is expected to secure his future elsewhere for 2028 and beyond.

With that in mind, here are some of the best second-row options for the Broncos ahead of the 2028 campaign.

Liam Martin

The first is Penrith Panthers star back-rower Liam Martin, whose future is far from certain at the moment.

Martin has agreed with the Panthers to pause talks over a new contract until after the season ends.

If he reaches November 1, the 29-year-old is likely to attract plenty of attention.

With the Broncos also uncertain about Brendan Piakura’s future, they could make a play for one of the best back rowers on the market.

Kurt Capewell

Still one of the best back rowers in the game and a key man for Queensland, Kurt Capewell is far from done.

But the New Zealand Warriors only handed the 33-year-old a one-year extension earlier this season, keeping him in Auckland for one more year.

A one-year deal for Capewell in 2028 could be a good option for the Broncos, giving them the chance to reunite with the skillful forward.

David Fifita

If the Broncos want power and explosiveness long term, few options are better than David Fifita of the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

A Brisbane native, Fifita played for the Broncos from 2018 to 2020, before leaving for the Gold Coast Titans.

Fifita hasn’t featured for Queensland since 2023, but a return home might be the thing that finally helps him take his game to the next level.

Matty Nicholson

The last two are a little more left-field and both Poms. The first is Matty Nicholson.

The 23-year-old is an NRL star in the making, with injuries having hampered his first two seasons in the league with the Canberra Raiders.

Nicholson has already shown how dangerous he is as a brilliant line runner, and would offer the Broncos a cheaper option on the edge, with bags of upside.

Junior Nsemba

And finally, if the Broncos want upside, there may be no better option in world rugby league than Junior Nsemba at back row.

He has the potential to be truly elite in the right environment. Currently playing for Maguire’s former club Wigan Warriors in the Super League, Nsemba has already played 85 Super League games.

He’s won multiple titles and is a lethal weapon on the left edge. He’s been durable over the last three years, playing from a young age, and is still only 22.

The problem is Nsemba has a contract that runs until the end of the 2030 season, so an early release would have to be agreed.

This is probably the most far-fetched, but Nsemba will likely star in the NRL one day.