Nikorima off to Oz, two young Roosters arrive
The Warriors have made up for the loss of playmaker Kodi Nikorima with the signing of two Roosters players.
The New Zealand club yesterday confirmed Nikorima was granted an immediate release from his contract to join the Rabbitohs, then revealed the signing of two young Roosters, halfback Ronald Volkman and hooker Freddy Lussick.
Nikorima, the Kiwis international who joined the Warriors in May 2019, was signed until the end of the season, but Warriors general manager of football Craig Hodges said he had asked to go straight away.
“He wanted to take up an offer elsewhere. Given the circumstances we weren’t going to stand in his way.
“We thank Kodi for the contribution he has made to the club over the last three years and wish him and his family all the best for the future.”
Shortly after that news, the Warriors were quick to offset the loss with the addition of a promising pair.
The 19-year-old Volkman’s threeyear contract from 2023 to 2025 was announced last week, but he will now link up with the Warriors early.
His 21-year-old teammate Lussick has been secured on a contract to the end of 2022 campaign. Both joined the Warriors in Redcliffe yesterday.
“We’re thrilled to be able to add Ronald and Freddy to our squad right now,” said Hodges. “We were keen to have Ronald on board for the rest of this season rather than waiting for 2023. It’s beneficial for him and for us to have him settled into the club sooner rather than later.
“And Freddy brings NRL experience out of the Roosters’ system to add more support in the dummy half ranks to Wayde Egan and Taniela Otukolo,” Hodges added.
Volkman, who balanced rugby league and union as a schoolboy star, is a gifted young half regarded as one of the hottest prospects in the game.
Lussick made his NRL debut with the Roosters in 2020 and was loaned to the St George Illawarra Dragons for two games last year.
He’s the youngest of three brothers to fashion NRL careers. The eldest, Darcy, played 117 games for Manly and Parramatta from 2011 to 2017 before joining the Toronto Wolfpack and then the Salford Red Devils.
Hooker Joey had one game for Manly in 2017, three seasons with Salford in England, returned to the NRL to play nine times for Parramatta and is now in England with St Helens.
He made five NRL appearances with the Roosters in 2020, four in 2021 and two for the Dragons.
Along with Volkman, Lussick has played for the Roosters’ feeder club the North Sydney Bears in the New South Wales Cup. He also played under-18s for the Roosters.
Meanwhile, Cronulla will be without Will Kennedy and Jesse Ramien for weeks after both were charged by the Match Review Committee in their win over the Warriors.
He wanted to take up an offer elsewhere. Given the circumstances we weren’t going to stand in his way. Craig Hodges, Warriors general manager of football