GCBRONCO
International Captain
- Mar 4, 2008
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http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...rius-boyd-injury/story-fniabjcr-1227175196501
He remains untested at NRL level, but emerging Broncos utility Kodi Nikorima believes he can endure a baptism of fire as a rookie replacement for injured fullback Darius Boyd.
With Boyd’s ruptured achilles throwing Brisbane’s plans for the No. 1 jumper into disarray, Nikorima has emerged as a shock contender for the custodian role when the club opens its premiership assault against South Sydney at Suncorp Stadium on March 5.
The 20-year-old appears locked in a battle with Jordan Kahu and Lachlan Maranta for a Round 1 starting spot, with the trio sharing fullback duties when the Broncos returned to pre-season training yesterday.
Nikorima was a driving force behind Brisbane’s run to the National Youth Competition grand final last season, shining alongside younger brother Jayden as he split his time between fullback and five-eighth.
Now in his second pre-season with the club’s senior squad, the New Zealander has plans to find a permanent home in the backs under coach Wayne Bennett.
“It was my first time playing fullback last year so I grew to like that position,’’ Nikorima said.
‘‘Wayne doesn’t really say much, but he just said that everything is up for grabs so it’s the one who wants it the most.
“I’ve put on an extra kilo that should be handy this year hopefully.
“I was actually training with Darius when (the injury) happened so I was pretty devastated for him but if the opportunity comes (to play fullback) I’ll take it with both hands. If not, I’ll just keep working hard and try to make my way into the 17.”
Nikorima said the chance to train alongside some big names, including Sam Thaiday and Corey Parker, in the Broncos’ top 25 had fuelled his desire to play NRL football.
“It’s awesome.
‘‘Just to have (them) around the club, it’s surreal seeing players that I grew up idolising.’’
“Just to be among them, it’s an honour.”
Thaiday, who yesterday completed his first pre-season hit-out following the Kangaroos’ Four Nations campaign of last year, said the race for the fullback spot was wide open.
“We’ve got good depth in that position. Justin (Hodges) can slot back into that role and did a job for us at the end of last season so those guys are going to knuckle it out for that spot,” Thaiday said.
‘‘It makes training competitive and it makes Wayne’s job hard to pick players in those positions but it’s a good problem to have when you’ve got too many players of great quality.
‘‘They’re going to do whatever it takes to get that position so … it’s only going to make our side better.”
He remains untested at NRL level, but emerging Broncos utility Kodi Nikorima believes he can endure a baptism of fire as a rookie replacement for injured fullback Darius Boyd.
With Boyd’s ruptured achilles throwing Brisbane’s plans for the No. 1 jumper into disarray, Nikorima has emerged as a shock contender for the custodian role when the club opens its premiership assault against South Sydney at Suncorp Stadium on March 5.
The 20-year-old appears locked in a battle with Jordan Kahu and Lachlan Maranta for a Round 1 starting spot, with the trio sharing fullback duties when the Broncos returned to pre-season training yesterday.
Nikorima was a driving force behind Brisbane’s run to the National Youth Competition grand final last season, shining alongside younger brother Jayden as he split his time between fullback and five-eighth.
Now in his second pre-season with the club’s senior squad, the New Zealander has plans to find a permanent home in the backs under coach Wayne Bennett.
“It was my first time playing fullback last year so I grew to like that position,’’ Nikorima said.
‘‘Wayne doesn’t really say much, but he just said that everything is up for grabs so it’s the one who wants it the most.
“I’ve put on an extra kilo that should be handy this year hopefully.
“I was actually training with Darius when (the injury) happened so I was pretty devastated for him but if the opportunity comes (to play fullback) I’ll take it with both hands. If not, I’ll just keep working hard and try to make my way into the 17.”
Nikorima said the chance to train alongside some big names, including Sam Thaiday and Corey Parker, in the Broncos’ top 25 had fuelled his desire to play NRL football.
“It’s awesome.
‘‘Just to have (them) around the club, it’s surreal seeing players that I grew up idolising.’’
“Just to be among them, it’s an honour.”
Thaiday, who yesterday completed his first pre-season hit-out following the Kangaroos’ Four Nations campaign of last year, said the race for the fullback spot was wide open.
“We’ve got good depth in that position. Justin (Hodges) can slot back into that role and did a job for us at the end of last season so those guys are going to knuckle it out for that spot,” Thaiday said.
‘‘It makes training competitive and it makes Wayne’s job hard to pick players in those positions but it’s a good problem to have when you’ve got too many players of great quality.
‘‘They’re going to do whatever it takes to get that position so … it’s only going to make our side better.”
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