Brisbane’s Nikorima eyeing return to No 7 jersey
Brisbane’s Kodi Nikorima insists he is happy to play anywhere as the likely return of captain and fullback Darius Boyd to face Melbourne in the preliminary final will soothe the team’s soul.
The Broncos’ latest ‘Mr Fix It’ showed his wares at the back in Friday’s 13-6 defeat of Penrith, popping up for several crucial interventions to ensure his side’s NRL season remained alive.
And while he proved himself at fullback before the Suncorp Stadium faithful, Nikorima indicated he would be happy to shift positions again to accommodate Boyd.
‘‘I have been trying to tell everyone I’ve got hops, hopefully they believe me after this,’’ Nikorima said. ‘‘I’ll play wherever Wayne [coach, Bennett] asks me to play,’’ Nikorima said.
‘‘But my motivation tonight was to do enough for Darbs [Boyd], to get him another shot at it. Hopefully he is right, and it should only be positive signs for us.’’
Boyd is likely to return from a hamstring injury to play Storm at AAMI Park next Friday, after missing an early return this week.
In all likelihood that would push Nikorima back into his favoured No 7 jersey, Benji Marshall to the bench, and the unlucky David Mead out of the side.
Although with winger Corey Oates in doubt with concussion after a brutal first-half collision that saw him exit the field on a medicab, that could lead to a reprieve for Mead.
Bennett described Nikorima’s effort at fullback as ‘‘wonderful’’.
But halfback is where the playmaker sees himself long term, after opting to commit to Broncos despite the initial interest of NRL heavyweights Melbourne.
‘‘It’s good knowing them and other clubs were interested, but I love this club here,’’ he said.
‘‘When Ben Hunt got injured, knowing he was leaving [to St George-Illawarra], I said to myself ‘If I really want this it’s now or never’.’’
Another strong showing in the halves in Friday’s preliminary final would be another step towards his goal.
‘‘I thought I’ve done that at times [proved himself], but I’ve got to keep improving,’’ he said.
‘‘And we’re not going there [to Melbourne] just to give them a training run. We’re going down there to do our best’’
Meanwhile, Brisbane forward Sam Thaiday knows his side will have to make vast improvements to come close to Melbourne but he says the Broncos have a weapon in their arsenal capable of propelling them to victory.
Thaiday declared himself fit after passing an in-game concussion test, following a head knock in the final stages of Friday’s game.
And after the win he welcomed James Roberts’ return to form, the flying centre back to his best with a crucial second-half try to send the Broncos on their way.
‘‘It was great to see that the jet came out of the hangar tonight,’’ Thaiday said of Roberts, who now has 17 tries this season.
‘‘His try was absolutely fantastic, his change of speed and way he hit that hole was great and hopefully that can continue.’’
Minor premiers Melbourne are red-hot favourites to go all the way this season and will start at short odds to beat the Broncos.
But in Roberts the Broncos at least possess a weapon the Storm will have to negotiate if they are to progress from the preliminary final.
‘‘He’s a game-breaker and that’s what you need in big games,’’ Thaiday said.
‘‘He turned it for us tonight. We were a little bit scratchy at the start of the second half, then he scores his try and that breaks Penrith’s heart a little bit.’’
While Brisbane’s defence held tight, a 69 percent completion rate was still cause for concern.
‘‘I’m happy with that effort, but we made it hard for ourselves and turned over a lot of cheap ball,’’ Thaiday said.
‘‘We cannot do that next week.’’