Brisbane second-rower Brendan Piakura has been below his best the past fortnight but aims to enact tips he picked up in Queensland camp to fire up against the Warriors away on Saturday.
The 22-year-old was in the Maroons' extended squad for game one of the State of Origin series and spent the week in camp
Piakura said he had been below his best in the past two losses to Cronulla and South Sydney. Against the Rabbitohs he missed seven tackles.
He is far from alone in the Broncos squad with the side completing just 27 of 42 sets against the Rabbitohs.
The Warriors are coming off a 66-6 thrashing from the Gold Coast while the Broncos have lost their past three matches.
They will also be without Piakura's back-row partner Jordan Riki due to suspension.
"I feel like I’ve been lacking the last couple of weeks, but hopefully I can bring my game back up and keep improving," Piakura said.
"I feel like with most of us boys the intent has been there.Hopefully we can get the effort and the footy on the same page."
"I think it’s just a concentration thing. It’s an easy fix.
"We just need to stick to our processes and game plans. The game plans have been working when we stick to them, we just need to stick to them for the whole game."
Piakura said he learned plenty in Maroons camp under coach Billy Slater, whose attention to detail was an eye-opener.
"In that squad and the coaching staff especially there’s a lot of high IQ footy players, so a lot of brains to pick in that camp. It was a good experience," he said.
"Definitely they’re on a whole other level, and that’s definitely what I aspire to be like, and hopefully take my footy game to that level as well."
Winger Jesse Arthars, one of Brisbane's best players in 2023, is set to return after breaking his jaw in the round-nine loss to the Roosters.
"Jesse, I can’t wait to see him back in the Broncos colours again. He’s been training the house down in rehab so hopefully he can bring the training into the game," Piakura said.
Centre Selwyn Cobbo will play after missing Queensland selection with injury niggles and being mentally worn down after playing through them.
"He’s flying now, so that’s what I definitely want from the left centre. Selwyn is feeling good and playing good, and that’s definitely what we need," Piakura said.
Prop Corey Jensen, who sprained an ankle at training last week, got through Monday's session.
The Broncos have fullback Reece Walsh and lock Pat Carrigan in the Queensland squad and prop Payne Haas with NSW.
The trio will play on Wednesday night in game two of the State of Origin series in Melbourne with Walsh the most likely to back up against the Warriors.
