Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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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
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