Pivotal talk on future of Kodi
THE Warriors are targeting Kodi Nikorima to solve their playmaking crisis in a move that could end the Brisbane half-back’s career at the Broncos within weeks.
It is understood the Warriors will table a formal offer in the next 48 hours in a bombshell development for Nikorima as he prepares for Thursday night’s BroncosSouths grudge match.
The clash at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium against his former coach Wayne Bennett could be Nikorima’s 87th and final game for the Broncos, with Brisbane considering immediate release to the Warriors.
The 25-year-old was first linked with a move to the Warriors last December.
Nikorima knows of the poaching bid and would be devastated to leave a club that has groomed him for the NRL since his teen years in Brisbane’s under-20s ranks.
The veteran of 13 Tests for New Zealand has consistently maintained he can succeed at halfback but the Broncos’ 2-5 start this season has not helped his long-term prospects.
Broncos coach Anthony Seibold is developing young halfbacks Sean O’Sullivan, Tom Dearden, Cory Paix and Tanah Boyd, raising the possibility Brisbane could send Nikorima back to the bench as a No.14 supersub next season.
But Nikorima may not last that long at Red Hill if the injury-ravaged Warriors can get their man as soon as possible.
The Kiwi outfit have had their scrumbase decimated, with Shaun Johnson’s off-season
move to Cronulla compounded by a groin injury to fellow half Blake Green.
The Warriors turned to back-rower Tohu Harris in the halves, alongside four-game rookie Chanel Harris-Tavita, in their Anzac Day clash against Melbourne.
Nikorima is contracted to the Broncos until the end of 2020 but the Warriors are considering a lucrative offer potentially spanning three seasons beyond this year.
Warriors coach Steve Kearney worked with Nikorima as a former assistant at the Broncos and the pair share the same manager, Isaac Moses.
The Broncos were hoping the Anthony Milford-Nikorima alliance would work but they have never really clicked since joining forces last season.
In the wake of Brisbane’s 29-6 defeat of Cronulla on Saturday night, Broncos prop Matt Lodge praised Nikorima.
“Kodi is a threat,” he said. “He’s just got to run the ball.”