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Important update on 1476AM'Standing on a nail': Riki turns superhero in headgear
Joel Gould, AAP •  April 22nd, 2026 8:18 am
Jordan Riki | Photo: AAP
Brisbane forward Jordan Riki will don his lucky headgear and play though sharp foot pain for his "family".
The 26-year-old second-rower battled through plantar fasciitis in his foot in the 21-20 away win over Wests Tigers on Saturday night.
He will do it again against Canterbury on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium as the Broncos face being without up to 14 of their top squad.
Riki's ailment is essentially inflammation of the thick tissue on the sole of the foot.
He said he had had the issue previously, while stressing the agony he was going through.
"The way to describe it is that it's like you are standing on a nail on your heel," he said.
"You've just got to deal with it.
"I did mine a couple of years ago in my left foot and ended up snapping (the tissue). They reckon snapping is better because you don't have to deal with the pain anymore.
Erin Clark following the Wahs' home win against the Titans | Warriors Live
"The club has looked after me in some of the field sessions where I stay inside and sit on the bike."
Broncos centre partner Kotoni Staggs suffered a similar ailment in the win over the Tigers but has been named against the Bulldogs.
"He will be in a bit of pain the next couple of days but who knows what Kotoni can do? He is a magic man sometimes," Riki said.
Riki said one of his family members marvelled at his resilience to play through agony but the man himself said his commitment had deep roots.
"I look at this team like a family," he said.
"It would feel like I would be turning my back on the boys and my family if I don't turn up and put my best foot forward."
Broncos fans call him 'Headgear Riki" for his stellar displays when wearing the protective garb.
Riki had a brilliant undefeated 2025 finals series on the way to winning the premiership and said the headgear was like a good luck charm.
Jordan Riki | Photo: AAP
Late last year he was suffering bruising around his ears after contact in games and the team physiotherapist suggested he wear headgear.
"The boys sort of took the piss out of me before wearing it and then we won that Canberra final," Riki said.
"Then all the boys were like, 'Oh you can't take it off now … gotta keep it on for the finals series'.
" I ended up doing that and we obviously did pretty well in the finals."
Riki ditched the headgear early this season and the Broncos lost.
"In the first two rounds, I wasn't happy with my performance, and I think Kotoni brought it up to me," Riki grinned.
"He's like, 'Oh bro, you might need to bring that headgear back'. So I think I brought the headgear back for the Melbourne game."
Riki was dominant in an 18-14 comeback win and has been super ever since.
"I've just got to keep it." he said.
"It is sort of like an alter ego I guess.When I put it on, it's go time.
"It's like that switch really. It's sort of me now, I guess."
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