Rising Broncos forward Brendan Piakura has insisted there are no sure bets when it comes to starting positions, as he puts his ‘best foot forward’ to fill the shoes left by now former Bronco and Queensland hardman Kurt Capewell, during a sweltering start to preseason.

The popular 21-year-old Cook Islander, who recently signed a three-year extension to stay at Red Hill after rising through the Broncos elite Academy system and stepping up across 13 games in season 2023, insisted he’s ready to seize the opportunity ahead.

“Always hard, especially in this heat, they don’t get any easier, we’re sticking together as a team,” Piakura said.

“Everyone wants to put their best foot forward in training, it really gives us all that competitive edge with all of the players, it’s good for the team, it’s good for culture.

“He does have big shoes to fill in this team, personally I want to work on myself, and work on my game.

“No jerseys is theirs, you’re just a carrier of the jersey there are no jerseys that are solidified.

“If you’re working hard, doing the right things, you will get your jersey and that’s what I’m trying to work on for me.”

Piakura, also a Cook Islands international, spent time with family and teammate Reece Walsh back home in the offseason, telling media Brisbane was always going to be the place for him, amid reports of offers from rival clubs.

“This is where I want to play my football. The club’s been excellent for me personally. I’ve been here since I was young and I didn’t want to be anywhere else.

“My first couple of seasons were not so good with injuries but I have a good support system at home and all the boys got around me, they made it a lot easier going through those tough times, and now there are good times ahead.”

He also paid tribute to ‘Capes’, revealing the two traits he admires the most and hopes to emulate.

“His professionalism and his worth ethic on and off the field. He does the hard yards that no one really wants to do and he’s one of the best at it.

“He’s definitely a player you want to play with."

The young gun averaged 72 running metres, 16 tackles and 30 tackle breaks, at 84% efficiency last season, keen to work on some key areas raised by ‘Kevvie.’

“His did say just those kick chases, the hard efforts, the back to back efforts, I need to work on.

“I like to think I’m an aggressive player, it’s all about finding that fine line and that balance, I’m still trying to find that.

“I think I need to just keep ticking boxes at training, and keep working hard, keep my head down and hopefully I can fill those boots.”

- Broncos