Apprentice Nikorima happy to bide his time

[Super Freak]

BRONCOS utility Kodi Nikorima is confident he will be in Broncos colours for a long time to come.

Off contract at season’s end, the young Kiwi representative has repeatedly stated his desire to become a starting half, preferably at Brisbane.

With Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt already running the show for the Broncos, Nikorima would have to put his ambitions on hold to stay at Red Hill, with Wayne Bennett confirming last week that the 22-year-old was still doing his “apprenticeship”.

But the Broncos coach issued a public plea to his super sub to stay amid interest from southern rivals, claiming it was “not his time to leave”.

Nikorima said just hearing that Bennett wants him to stay filled him with confidence, even if the two were yet to officially discuss his future.

“That’s a pretty good wrap to hear it from the master coach,” he said.

“Hopefully I am doing the right things and in the long run I will get that chance.

“We just discuss footy, so no long-term talks just yet.”

Nikorima said he had left contract talks to his manager, Isaac Moses, and just wanted to let his form do the talking.

That form has been impressive, with his time on-field increasing to an average of 30 minutes in 2016.

Nikorima said that added time was a sign of Bennett’s trust after his debut year last season.

“For me, it’s still about focusing on playing good footy,” he said.

“That way you give yourself the best opportunity with all that contract stuff ...

“Having that one year under Wayne, I think he trusts me a bit more this year.

“I don’t care how long I play, just as long as I’m playing and that Wayne knows I’m there when and if he needs me.”

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...t/news-story/af3c59316024d36688a570a14d8f0725

 

[Mitch06]

I doubt he'll get a start in the halves until the next 3-4 years at least. I also doubt Wayne would ask him to stay if he hasn't got an immediate plan for him to start otherwise he would have let him go lik Ash. Is Fullback an option or can he get bigger minutes off the bench?

 

[mitch222]

I think if we can snag him for another year then he will leave after that. Whilst we may be seen to be holding him back, it certainly didn't harm Ben Hunt to do a couple of years of the bench, get a feel for the top grade and what defence you need to have and then explode onto the scene.
Its not working out for Jayden so much with the Roosters throwing him in the deep end and basically abandoning him after a couple of games. I think he might end up being washed out at the Roosters

 

[big k]

I wonder if Jayden's situation at the Roosters might be working in our favor. Kodi may have his brother telling him the grass isn't always greener on the other side. I wouldn't be surprised to see Jayden do a Hodges and return to us after his Roosters stint.

 

[Sproj]

As a ball-playing centre? Brilliant!

 

[Mister Wright]

I'm pretty sure Jayden Nikorima wouldn't have been signed to the Roosters with an understanding he'd be a starting half. I'm sure Hastings and Pearce would have been nominated as the starting halves. Pearce gave him a golden ticket to the starting lineup. He would have been signed as a bench utility and back-up cover. Which is what he is atm.

 

[broncoboy]

does anyone who whos better out of the two brothers

 

[Foordy]

I like his attitude ... I just hope it doesn't change when he sees big money offers from rival clubs south of the border