Nikorima reminiscent of Jones

One day in the future, when league scribes look back on Kodi Nikorima’s career, they might mark November 11, 2018, as a turning point.

On a sunny autumn afternoon at Elland Road in Leeds, Nikorima came of age as an international footballer in the Kiwis’ 34-0 win over England.

He was a class above, especially in the first half, when his vision, guile and elusiveness helped turn the game in New Zealand’s favour.

And for Kiwis fans with long memories, there were strong parallels with the last time the national team played at the famous home of Leeds United football, back in 2005.

Not only had the Kiwis enjoyed a similar shock scoreline, with a 24-0 drubbing of Australia in 2005, but their No 7 put on a show, just like Stacey Jones 13 years ago.

Sure, Jones’ performance came at the end of a glittering career, with the stakes much higher in a Tri Nations final, while Nikorima is just starting his Kiwis journey and yesterday’s game had little on the line.

But Nikorima’s movement and deception to set up Isaac Liu for New Zealand’s second try was Jonesesque, especially the way he drew in players to create space. The way he wriggled under defenders, broke free, then backed up Shaun Johnson to score his side’s decisive third try was also reminiscent of the ‘Little General’.

And his kick for Ken Maumalo to dot down felt like a carbon copy of a try Jones created for Manu Vatuvei in that 2005 game: same corner, same placement, same precise bomb, same prodigious leap and same result.

Nikorima was solid in the previous two tests, sparking most of New Zealand’s best attacking moments, but along with halves partner Johnson was unable to manage those games when it mattered most.

They were edged by George Williams and Sam Tomkins, who were admittedly playing behind a pack with the wind in their sails. Once the Kiwi forwards got ascendancy in the third test, it was a different story.

Nikorima has always been a talent, ever since he burst on to the scene in the Holden Cup under-20s grand final in 2014. He’s still only 24 but has four seasons of NRL behind him. He’s had ups and downs at the Broncos this season but has enjoyed his best year by far in a Kiwis jersey, from the moment ahead of the Denver expedition when coach Michael Maguire encouraged him to become a senior player in the group. Nikorima has barely put a foot wrong in the five tests since and was key to the two impressive Kiwis wins of 2018.

“He has really improved,” said Maguire. “I think he’s going to be a strong leader, if he keeps progressing the way he’s going.”