Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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EMERGING Broncos star Kodi Nikorima is set to mirror Lachlan Coote and ignore serious cash to stay loyal to his club.
Nikorima told The Courier-Mail his priority was to stay with the Broncos as Sydney clubs, including St George Illawarra, circle the prodigious talent.
Nikorima is likely to continue his role off the bench for the Broncos against Cronulla on Sunday despite Andrew McCullough’s injury.
Travis Waddell was the Broncos’ starting hooker when they trained in formation at Red Hill on Thursday morning.
With McCullough contracted until the end of next season, Nikorima will continue to be a bench player at Brisbane yet he believes that is the best option for his career.
Nikorima said if Brisbane wanted him to stay, he would. However, their offer will not be close to what he can get on the open market so Nikorima would have to make a sacrifice.
“My No.1 priority is to stay,” Nikorima said. “I have been here since I was 12. I don’t know anything else.
“In saying that, this is a business and I have to keep my options open. I haven’t thought about it too much because I just want to keep playing good footy for the Broncos.”
Nikorima’s younger brother Jayden rejected Broncos offers last year to take up a more lucrative deal with the Sydney Roosters. Regardless of whether he starts or not, Nikorima will play more minutes in the Shire on Sunday afternoon.
The Broncos could also spring a selection surprise in the form of 20-year-old Raiders recruit Tevita Pangai Jr.
Pangai Jr is considered one of the best forward prospects in the NRL and has impressed in stints with Souths Logan.
He trained in the Broncos’ main team on Thursday and could be a late inclusion on the bench.
With Adam Blair suspended, Jarrod Wallace will start and Herman Ese’ese gets another game after a solid performance last week.
Ben Hunt said he had not played a game without McCullough as hooker and his absence would be a blow for the club.
“It is a little bit of a blow, especially losing ‘Macca’ he has been our dummy half for a while, but Kodi and Travvy (Waddell) will do a good job,” Hunt said.
“He was playing first grade before me so I don’t think I’ve played without him.
“It won’t change too much how I play, but the forwards get a lot of direction from Macca so we are going to have to adjust without him.
“Kodi is a fair bit quicker than Macca, so he will add something to our attack for sure.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...e/news-story/2795db6e3e55b60a1577d81252453df4
Nikorima told The Courier-Mail his priority was to stay with the Broncos as Sydney clubs, including St George Illawarra, circle the prodigious talent.
Nikorima is likely to continue his role off the bench for the Broncos against Cronulla on Sunday despite Andrew McCullough’s injury.
Travis Waddell was the Broncos’ starting hooker when they trained in formation at Red Hill on Thursday morning.
With McCullough contracted until the end of next season, Nikorima will continue to be a bench player at Brisbane yet he believes that is the best option for his career.
Nikorima said if Brisbane wanted him to stay, he would. However, their offer will not be close to what he can get on the open market so Nikorima would have to make a sacrifice.
“My No.1 priority is to stay,” Nikorima said. “I have been here since I was 12. I don’t know anything else.
“In saying that, this is a business and I have to keep my options open. I haven’t thought about it too much because I just want to keep playing good footy for the Broncos.”
Nikorima’s younger brother Jayden rejected Broncos offers last year to take up a more lucrative deal with the Sydney Roosters. Regardless of whether he starts or not, Nikorima will play more minutes in the Shire on Sunday afternoon.
The Broncos could also spring a selection surprise in the form of 20-year-old Raiders recruit Tevita Pangai Jr.
Pangai Jr is considered one of the best forward prospects in the NRL and has impressed in stints with Souths Logan.
He trained in the Broncos’ main team on Thursday and could be a late inclusion on the bench.
With Adam Blair suspended, Jarrod Wallace will start and Herman Ese’ese gets another game after a solid performance last week.
Ben Hunt said he had not played a game without McCullough as hooker and his absence would be a blow for the club.
“It is a little bit of a blow, especially losing ‘Macca’ he has been our dummy half for a while, but Kodi and Travvy (Waddell) will do a good job,” Hunt said.
“He was playing first grade before me so I don’t think I’ve played without him.
“It won’t change too much how I play, but the forwards get a lot of direction from Macca so we are going to have to adjust without him.
“Kodi is a fair bit quicker than Macca, so he will add something to our attack for sure.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...e/news-story/2795db6e3e55b60a1577d81252453df4
