Nikorima backed to grow into No.7 role

[Super Freak]

WAYNE Bennett has urged Kodi Nikorima to trust his instincts and run the ball during his six-week audition to be Brisbane’s long-term halfback.

Nikorima wore Brisbane’s No. 7 jersey for the first time in last Friday’s thrilling 24-22 victory against the Titans at Suncorp Stadium.

It was a mixed night for the halfback hopeful, who scored a slick try but struggled to put his stamp on the Broncos.

Having come off the bench in his previous 37 NRL games, Nikorima admitted it took some time to adjust to the intensity of starting in a Queensland derby.

Six matches may not be long enough for Nikorima to find his feet in the pressure-cooker position but that is all he has to present a compelling case to coach Bennett that he is the man to replace Dragons-bound Hunt.

“It was really different,” Nikorima said.

“I’m used to just chilling out on the sideline having a cuppa and waiting for halftime then I start to get my mind on things.

“You could say (the intensity was much different). I’ve been waiting a long time to just get a starting spot.

“I felt pretty comfortable. I was happy out there. I haven’t really thought about (being the long-term halfback) yet. At the minute I’m taking it week by week.

“I know Hunty is coming back (from a hamstring injury). That’s only something I will start to think about at the end of the year.

“As much as it can be built up about next year, my focus right now is playing this year and doing a job for the team.”

There is no doubt Nikorima is a class player. At 23, he is a four-Test New Zealand representative who has played a crucial role for the Broncos in recent seasons.

But there is a big difference between coming off the bench as an impact weapon at dummy-half and piloting a team as the chief shot-caller.

It would be unfair to think Nikorima could dominate at halfback in six weeks, particularly with a limited pre-season due to a shoulder reconstruction, and Bennett has given him simple instructions.

“He wanted to set up in good positions for kicks, not just wait for the last tackle and hope for the best,” Nikorima said.

“He wanted me to be strong in defence because I’m a target out there. A big part of my game is my running game and he said to back myself and run.

“I should have got my hands on the ball a bit more. That was the message I got given at halftime – get my hands on the ball more and I thought I did it in the second half.

“It was pretty special scoring in my first starting game.”

An area of the game Nikorima must become more dominant in is kicking, especially in the absence of Hunt.

He kicked the ball just once in each half against the Titans, leaving five-eighth Anthony Milford the bulk of the duties.

While Milford is a short-kicking specialist, Hunt is Brisbane’s primary yardage kicker and the Broncos must improve in that facet to challenge the Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.

Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds is regarded as one of the best kickers in the NRL.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...e/news-story/1e2999cb2e8304409de9ec4518a9825e

 

[I bleed Maroon]

He's off to a good start. Game management is clearly lacking without Hunt's experience but Milford will grow into that

 

[Browny]

We never had game management with Hunt anyway

 

[Taylor1921]

We never had game management with Hunt anyway

EXACTLY! We never had game management with Hunt, so why are the media and fans complaining about game management that we never had. Nikorima has an underrated kicking game, Hunt already reached his peak in all aspects, Nikorima has got 5+ years to reach and stay at peak.

 

[Rally Towel]

Tripping. Hunt may not have been the best game manager but he still had more tools at his disposal than Niko.

I really hope Niko makes a good fist of things, but I'm dubious of his ability to play in the halves long term. First real outing but we looked pretty aimless at times last week.

So far all I've seen him show is a good step, acceleration and a dummy. Admittedly the core of Hunt's game also, but he still had a decent pass and long kick on him also.

 

[Taylor1921]

1mil for hunt or 200k for Nikorima, I know what I rather. First game starting at halfback I think he did well. Let's judge him at the end of the six weeks maybe?

 

[Foordy]

1mil for hunt or 200k for Nikorima, I know what I rather. First game starting at halfback I think he did well. Let's judge him at the end of the six weeks maybe?

Nikorima will cost a shitload more than 200K

 

[Accept]

Nikorima will cost a shitload more than 200K

I think he is currently on 275 which is decent for a 22 yo utility.

 

[Rally Towel]

1mil for hunt or 200k for Nikorima, I know what I rather. First game starting at halfback I think he did well. Let's judge him at the end of the six weeks maybe?

Absolutely, I think we've got to give him some opportunity to prove himself. Individually I thought he was reasonable for his first hit out but from a team perspective I thought we looked a bit aimless (some of that falls on Milf's shoulders too).

Price is open to conjecture. Assuming figures are accurate, agreed it was unwise to match the Dragon's offer for Hunt. That said, if you pay 200k for a halfback, I'd expect results commensurate with the price....

 

[Thelmus]

I think, he has room to grow, as a halfback. He was good for a first run, and I can't remember any halfback thrown into the deep end like he has who has had a perfect game first up. It'll be a learning experience for him and I hope he makes every post a winner, but somewhere along the way he'll need to develop a general play kicking game, because without it, there won't be a half's position for him, short or long term.

 

[Taylor1921]

Nikorima will cost a shitload more than 200K

275k pardon me

 

[Taylor1921]

Absolutely, I think we've got to give him some opportunity to prove himself. Individually I thought he was reasonable for his first hit out but from a team perspective I thought we looked a bit aimless (some of that falls on Milf's shoulders too).

Price is open to conjecture. Assuming figures are accurate, agreed it was unwise to match the Dragon's offer for Hunt. That said, if you pay 200k for a halfback, I'd expect results commensurate with the price....

200k is pretty minimum in this day and age of NRL

 

[Foordy]

275k pardon me

you can't compare Nikorima's price in 2017 and Hunt's in 2018.

you need to compare them for the same year ...

and Hunt isn't on anywhere near $1 million this year. in fact it is closer to 500k.

If Nikorima stays, it will be for much more than 275k

 

[Foordy]

Having said all that, I actually think Nikorima can make a decent 5/8. but he isn't the half WE need.

he is your Milford, Hunt, Bird style half ... a running half with some play making ability, that can win you the game with a bit of pure magic ... but he isn't a controlling half, that can grab the game by the scruff of the neck or the half that can strangle the opposition with a dominant kicking game.

he is a downgraded version of Hunt or Milford.

 

[Splinter]

We never had game management with Hunt anyway

Thats not exactly correct. We have game management but they just execute it very poorly

 

[Taylor1921]

you can't compare Nikorima's price in 2017 and Hunt's in 2018.

you need to compare them for the same year ...

and Hunt isn't on anywhere near $1 million this year. in fact it is closer to 500k.

If Nikorima stays, it will be for much more than 275k

But we would of have match that price to keep Hunt.

 

[Foordy]

But we would of have match that price to keep Hunt.

but your statement didn't take into account the figure we would need to keep Nikorima ... just assumed that he would stay for his 200k. that's why i took issue with your comparison. If we are going to keep Nikorima it will cost as a shit load more than 200k .

so for your comparison to be accurate you either need to compare both players 2017 contract value estimations or 2018 contract value estimations ... not use one players 2017 and 1 players 2018 (especially when the cap is rising in 2018)

 

[Sproj]

Having said all that, I actually think Nikorima can make a decent 5/8. but he isn't the half WE need.

he is your Milford, Hunt, Bird style half ... a running half with some play making ability, that can win you the game with a bit of pure magic ... but he isn't a controlling half, that can grab the game by the scruff of the neck or the half that can strangle the opposition with a dominant kicking game.

he is a downgraded version of Hunt or Milford.

Maybe not...but his brother is. ;)