Warriors taking time with Jayden Nikorima
Warriors coach Nathan Brown says the club will take it easy with Jayden Nikorima.
The former Roosters playmaker is on a train and trial contract with the Warriors, as he hopes to reignite his NRL career which stalled in 2017 when he was sacked for failing a drugs test for the second time.
The 24-year-old Nikorima, the younger brother of Kodi, returned to New Zealand for the Warriors’ pre-season training and Brown has been impressed with how he has been going.
However, the path back into the NRL is not straight-forward for him.
There are plenty of players ahead of him in the Warriors’ pecking order and it has been a long time since he has played footy at a high level.
Nikorima was on the books for Redcliffe in the Queensland Cup this year but because of the coronavirus pandemic the season was cancelled.
‘‘Jayden was an extremely talented player as a kid,’’ Brown said of the former Junior Kangaroo.
‘‘I was in England when he was at his height as a young player and he went to the Roosters as a key signing for them but obviously things away from the field did not work out for him. ‘‘Talking to Jayden now and other people, he has certainly got his life away from footy sorted out. ‘‘He is only 24, he is certainly very hungry and he has got talent. The key for everyone, and Jayden included, is not to expect too much too early, because he basically has not played for three years.’’
Brown said Cody Walker was not seen at his best until 25, 26.