NIKORIMA LOOKING TO EARN HIS STRIPES
JAYDEN Nikorima has an opportunity to make his case to be Melbourne’s go-to playmaker during the Origin period when he leads Brisbane Tigers in a blockbuster Hostplus Cup clash between two Storm feeder clubs.
Nikorima has again been named among the Storm’s reserves for the heavyweight clash with the Panthers, but, barring any late injury, will take his place in the No.6 for the Tigers when they travel to Sunshine Coast to face the Falcons on Sunday.
The utility is at the Storm on a one-year deal and determined to add to his seven NRL appearances, the last of which came for the Roosters in 2016.
His best chance, barring injury, will be when Storm sensation Cameron Munster is on Origin duty for the Maroons, but Nikorima hasn’t left anything to chance, with an impressive start to the season.
Tigers coach Jon Buchanan said there were elements of his game he had to work on to make the dream of a recall a reality.
“He has to be consistent on both sides of the ball,” Buchanan said.
“Craig (Bellamy, Storm coach) values that defence. If Jayden had an area to be more consistent, it’s in defence.
“He does some really good stuff (with the ball), but there’s times he’s trying too hard to do something he doesn’t have to.”
That includes the side’s fifth-tackle options, with experienced halves Nikorima and Darren Nicholls called upon to make better decisions with the last play or risk being punished by a side as good as the Falcons.
“You have to be finishing your sets well when you play those top teams,” Buchanan said.
“We know we have points in us.
“Darren has a lot of Queensland Cup experience, and he and Jayden have been going well all year for us.”
There will be a strong Storm flavour at Sunshine Coast Stadium, with both sides expected to field several Melbourne-contracted players.
Cooper Johns orchestrated the Falcons’ last-start 48-18 demolition of the Jets, with young winger Will Warbrick grabbing a hat trick and prop Tui Kamikamica running roughshod.
Nikorima, Marion Seve, and second rower Bronson Garlick have been named for the Tigers, but there is a chance others, like Jordan Grant and Tom Eisenhuth, may become available.
Buchanan isn’t relying on Storm allocations, instead trusting Nikorima and Nicholls to steer his side to victory.
The result could go some way to settling the four-way tie atop the Hostplus Cup table.
The Falcons lead Burleigh, Capras and Norths – the latter two face off on Saturday – on the table due to points differential, while the Tigers are one point back in fifth.
The Blackhawks will have a chance to move into the top five when they kick off the round on Friday night against PNG Hunters at Jack Manski Oval.
Tweed Seagulls host Northern Pride in a battle between ninth and tenth at Tugun, while Wynnum-Manly hosts Ipswich.
Also on Saturday night, Redcliffe hosts Souths Logan Magpies in a battle between two teams desperate for victory, while Mackay Cutters travel to Burleigh to face the Bears.