Big Pete
International Captain
- Mar 12, 2008
- 32,103
- 25,720
NRL 2015: Brothers Kodi and Jayden Nikorima battle for vacant spot
THE Nikorima dynasty will be ushered in at this year’s Auckland Nines tournament but Broncos brothers Kodi and Jayden are battling each other for the same NRL position.
Although the Broncos’ Nines team is under-strength, the Nikorimas will make Brisbane’s games must-watch on their own.
The brothers are mirror image 174cm pocket dynamos who have torn apart every age group they have played in.
They are also being turned from fullbacks into hooker/utilities and are battling for the Broncos’ No.14 jersey against Newcastle recruit Travis Waddell and former Ipswich Jet Matt Parcell.
Kodi, 20, is an outside chance for the vacant fullback spot but is seen more as a utility while Jayden has been transformed from a fullback to a rake during the past year.
“I am training in positions I am not used to,” Kodi said.
“I have done some hooker, some fullback, the halves, just rotating through them.
“I have put on a few kg’s too.
“First grade is my goal. Anywhere in the 17 would be good. An opportunity to play for the Broncos would mean the world to me.
“Jayden has been training the house down. I just hope I get on the field at the same time as him in the Nines.’’
That is bound to happen and when it does, expect havoc.
The Nikorimas are also both off contract after this season and have already attracted interest from rival clubs.
A standout Nines performance would only add clubs to the waiting list.
The Nikorima brothers are cut from different cloth than most.
Hailing from Palmerston North, on New Zealand’s North Island, Kodi has pledged allegiance to the Kiwis while Jayden dreams of representing Australia.
The two-year age difference means Jayden, 18, identifies more with his adopted country than Kodi.
Despite being of Maori heritage, their last name often leads to assumptions they are Asian.
“Yeah we are Maori,” Kodi said.
“The boys try and put on a little accent and speed my last name up to make it sound Asian though.’’
The Broncos have 10 players in their 18-man Nines squad who are yet to play an NRL game.
It is a vastly different squad than last year’s team which lost the final to North Queensland.
Kodi Nikorima, Ben Hunt and Andrew McCullough were the stars of that side, which featured several rep players including Sam Thaiday.
The Broncos were among the pre-tournament favourites last year but are outsiders this season because of their inexperience and are not expected to progress past the pool stage.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-2015-brothers-kodi-and-jayden-nikorima-battle-for-vacant-spot/story-fniabm4i-1227195641924
THE Nikorima dynasty will be ushered in at this year’s Auckland Nines tournament but Broncos brothers Kodi and Jayden are battling each other for the same NRL position.
Although the Broncos’ Nines team is under-strength, the Nikorimas will make Brisbane’s games must-watch on their own.
The brothers are mirror image 174cm pocket dynamos who have torn apart every age group they have played in.
They are also being turned from fullbacks into hooker/utilities and are battling for the Broncos’ No.14 jersey against Newcastle recruit Travis Waddell and former Ipswich Jet Matt Parcell.
Kodi, 20, is an outside chance for the vacant fullback spot but is seen more as a utility while Jayden has been transformed from a fullback to a rake during the past year.
“I am training in positions I am not used to,” Kodi said.
“I have done some hooker, some fullback, the halves, just rotating through them.
“I have put on a few kg’s too.
“First grade is my goal. Anywhere in the 17 would be good. An opportunity to play for the Broncos would mean the world to me.
“Jayden has been training the house down. I just hope I get on the field at the same time as him in the Nines.’’
That is bound to happen and when it does, expect havoc.
The Nikorimas are also both off contract after this season and have already attracted interest from rival clubs.
A standout Nines performance would only add clubs to the waiting list.
The Nikorima brothers are cut from different cloth than most.
Hailing from Palmerston North, on New Zealand’s North Island, Kodi has pledged allegiance to the Kiwis while Jayden dreams of representing Australia.
The two-year age difference means Jayden, 18, identifies more with his adopted country than Kodi.
Despite being of Maori heritage, their last name often leads to assumptions they are Asian.
“Yeah we are Maori,” Kodi said.
“The boys try and put on a little accent and speed my last name up to make it sound Asian though.’’
The Broncos have 10 players in their 18-man Nines squad who are yet to play an NRL game.
It is a vastly different squad than last year’s team which lost the final to North Queensland.
Kodi Nikorima, Ben Hunt and Andrew McCullough were the stars of that side, which featured several rep players including Sam Thaiday.
The Broncos were among the pre-tournament favourites last year but are outsiders this season because of their inexperience and are not expected to progress past the pool stage.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-2015-brothers-kodi-and-jayden-nikorima-battle-for-vacant-spot/story-fniabm4i-1227195641924
