When Kodi’s OK, the Warriors go nicely
It’s no coincidence this season that when Kodi Nikorima plays well the Warriors win and when he’s rarely seen in a game, they lose.
Of all the players in the Warriors team for tonight’s game against the Rabbitohs, Nikorima will have the biggest impact.
While the five-eighth doesn’t have form swings as wild as Shaun Johnson had, it has been frustrating for coaches that Nikorima can be a gamewinner one week and inconsequential the next.
Assistant coach Stacey Jones, the Warriors’ finest playmaker and now assistant coach at the club, says they’ve been working hard to get Nikorima to be at his best every week. ‘‘Kodi is a player who you’ve got to stay on his back the whole time,’’ Jones said.
‘‘We know how talented he can be, but he’s one of those players
At a glance
What: NRL. Rabbitohs v Warriors
Where, when: Bankwest Stadium, Sydney; 8pm tonight
Referee: Matt Cecchin
Rabbitohs: Latrell Mitchell, Dane Gagai, Campbell Graham, Brandon Burns, Alex Johnston, Cody Walker, Adam Reynolds; Tevita Tatola, Damien Cook, Thomas Burgess, Jaydn Su'a, Ethan Lowe, Cameron Murray. Interchange (from): Liam Knight, Patrick Mago, Tom Amone, Bayley Sironen, Mark Nicholls, Corey Allan, James Roberts, Keaon Koloamatangi.
Warriors: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Patrick Herbert, Peta Hiku, Gerard Beale, Adam Pompey, Kodi Nikorima, Blake Green; Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, Wayde Egan, Lachlan Burr, Eliesa Katoa, Tohu Harris, Adam Blair. Interchange (from): Karl Lawton, Poasa Faamausili, King Vuniyayawa, Jack Murchie, David Fusitu'a, Agnatius Paasi, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Isaiah Papali'i.
who can get caught out drifting in and out of games.
‘‘We want him to be involved as much as he can, running the ball.
‘‘The players are telling him how good he can be, so he’s getting it from left, right and centre at the moment and we’ve just got to stay
on his case,’’ Jones said.
In the 37-26 win over the Cowboys last weekend, Nikorima was at his best, running, kicking and producing a delightful flick pass to set up one of the tries.
It was largely because of him that the Warriors got their attack going for the first time this season, so the question now is whether he can back that up.
‘‘You’ve got to keep pushing him,’’ Jones said of how they manage the Palmerston North-born Nikorima.
‘‘There are a lot of players in this competition that can get caught in that and Kodi is still learning that part of his game.’’
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett brought Nikorima through when they were both at the Broncos. He remains an admirer of the 26-year-old and noted how well he played last Friday.
‘‘I was really pleased for him last week,’’ Bennett said.
Like the Warriors, the Rabbitohs are having a mixed season, also with two wins and three losses.