No way he doesn’t get a proper send off.
lol, he will retire at season's end which was his original plan. Why in the world would he call it quits in the middle of the season?
Kevin Walters challenges Kodi Nikorima to stamp his authority on Broncos No.7 jersey
KEVIN Walters wants Kodi Nikorima to stamp his authority in the Broncos No.7 jersey when he begins life as Brisbane’s chief halfback on Friday night.
Nikorima will pilot the Broncos in the trial against the Titans at Clive Berghofer Stadium in Toowoomba.
The hitout will be Nikorima’s first since becoming Brisbane’s first-choice halfback following Ben Hunt’s move to the Dragons.
The Kiwi Test international has been guaranteed the No.7 jersey by coach Wayne Bennett for the upcoming NRL season where he will form a permanent playmaking partnership with Anthony Milford.
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Walters wants to see Nikorima take control. (Peter Wallis)
Walters, Bennett’s assistant, will coach the Broncos in the Toowoomba trial and said it was an opportunity for Nikorima to get a head start in his new role.
“I want to see him running the ball, that’s what he’s good at,” he said.
“He was terrific last year. His record when he’s played in that jumper for the Broncos has been outstanding.
“I’m sure he’s looking to start the season well.
“I know the season doesn’t start on Saturday, but he can get some good match practice in, particularly around his defence. That is all important for him in the next few weeks.”
It hasn’t been an easy learning curve for Nikorima. (Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
The Broncos won 11 of 13 matches last season when Nikorima started at halfback. It may have been a coincidence, but Bennett has shown faith in the 55-game player to lead the Broncos in one of the most important positions on the field.
Nikorima will be the chief playmaker given Milford, fullback Darius Boyd and hooker Andrew McCullough will not play in the trial.
Instead, Nikorima will partner with Souths-Logan five-eighth Sam Scarlett while Todd Murphy starts at hooker and Jamayne Isaako at fullback.
“They’re going to have to work together there,” Walters said.
“We will keep it pretty simple with those guys, but they are experienced enough with the football they’ve played.
“Kodi wants to get better as a player, that’s what’s been most impressive.
“He’s put a lot of work into his kicking game and organising of the team as well.
“He is trying to improve and get his game better all the time. He has a long-term approach to make it better which will help the team.
Former Broncos pivot Darren Lockyer urged Nikorima to not overplay his hand given his new responsibilities.
“He doesn’t have to do too much different to what he did last year when he filled in for Ben Hunt,” he said.
“That’s a snippet of what will be expected. It’s about complementing each other and understanding each other’s roles.”
The Broncos will play their final trial against the PNG Hunters in Port Moresby next Saturday.
Alfie pulled the pin because he was the HB and captain and he was really struggling. He got dragged against the lowly Cowboys and Ben Walker rallied the team to an eventual draw that night. Alfie was a perfectionist and anything below his best wasn't good enough for him hence his retirement. But it was a knee jerk reaction and the wrong move. Sammy will have a good season (as will the Broncos). You are thinking of the worst case scenario there. Kodi isn't the answer but it won't necessarily affect the Bronco's season, not to the extreme it did in '99 at least.
