Nikorima gets nod at fullback
BRONCOS coach Wayne Bennett has pulled off a selection shock ahead of tonight’s clash against the Bulldogs by putting young utility Kodi Nikorima in at fullback.
Despite naming Souths Logan No.1 Jamayne Isaako in the position on Tuesday, Bennett yesterday revealed the diminutive Nikorima will instead take on the role against Canterbury.
Nikorima, who had originally been named on the bench, spent the entire captain’s run training at fullback with Isaako playing opposite him in the reserve grade side.
Bennett said afterwards that while Isaako did nothing wrong in his debut last week against the Knights, he felt they needed to change tactics for the meeting with the Bulldogs.
“Kodi will play fullback. We want him to play there,” Bennett said.
“He’s played it at NRL (level) since I’ve been here. He’s very capable. He can’t bring any height but outside of that, just a bit of experience. (Jamayne) hasn’t done anything wrong. Jamayne did a really good job (last week). I said that after the game, I told him that as well. But it’s a different game and different circumstances.”
Nikorima trained strongly yesterday and also proved he was more than ready to handle any pressure under the high ball, catching a high kick with just one hand.
The super sub extended his contract with the Broncos this week for another three years, with Bennett confirming yesterday that Nikorima will be the club’s halfback next season with current No.7 Ben Hunt set to join St George Illawarra.
Isaako is expected to still be at Suncorp Stadium tonight as the side’s 18th man, but will go back to reserve grade over the weekend, with Souths Logan to meet Tweed Heads in Julia Creek in north Queensland on Saturday as part of the Intrust Super Cup’s Country Round.