Canberra launch raid on utility at Warriors
Promising Warriors utility Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is leaving the club.
The 23-year-old, who signed from the Storm four years ago, announced his departure via social media.
Nicoll-Klokstad, who made seven NRL appearances during the 2017 season, is off to the Canberra Raiders.
“I just want to thank the Warriors for everything they’ve given me and my family over the last four years,” said Nicoll-Klokstad. “From the opportunity to come home and for giving me my debut . . . the highs and the lows of this game has been a great learning adventure for both me and my little tribe. I’m looking forward to the opportunity that’s presented itself. It will be [a] challenging yet enjoyable experience.”
His exit isn’t a surprise, given the depth the Warriors have in the outside backs, but will be lamented by some fans.
Nicoll-Klokstad has always stood out for his professional attitude, encompassed by the way he adapted quickly when given his first grade chance in 2017. He looked at home, and often had the priceless knack of being in the right place at the right time.
Nicoll-Klokstad, who is of Maori, Cook Islands and Norwegian descent, grabbed try doubles on three occasions, and left with the impressive record of seven tries from seven matches. He averaged more than 100m per match in those seven games, and looked a player for the future.
He has also earned plenty of plaudits off the field during his time at the Warriors. He was named Clubman of the Year in 2017 and made headlines for a random act of kindness the same year, when he purchased some shoes for a teenager with cerebral palsy who he met in St Lukes mall.
But he didn’t feature at all last season, with the emergence of Ken Maumalo and the great form of David Fusitu’a locking up the wing spots.
The arrival of Peta Hiku and Gerard Beale at the start of last year always meant his chances were going to be limited, as the two Kiwi internationals pushed him down the queue for a centre spot.
I just want to thank the Warriors for everything they’ve given me over the last four years. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
He was seen as an emerging talent, and often a point of difference, but was limited to grinding away in reserve grade. But Nicoll-Klokstad had an X-factor rarely seen in young players at the Warriors, and will be hopeful of more first grade chances across the Tasman.
That’s likely in Canberra, where he will link with former Warriors mentor Andrew McFadden, and hope to get a shot at fullback, in the halves, or somewhere across the backline.
“It’s simply a better opportunity for him,” said Warriors football manager Brian Smith. “There is a lot of competition for places in our backline so it is always tough. We wish Charnze all the best.”