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Kodi Nikorima

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Kodi Nikorima
Personal information
Full nameKodi Nikorima
Born (1994-04-03) 3 April 1994 (age 30)
Palmerston North, New Zealand
Height174 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight82 kg (12 st 13 lb)
Playing information
PositionFive-eighth, Halfback, Fullback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2015–19 Brisbane Broncos 86 22 0 0 88
2019–22 New Zealand Warriors 59 11 60 1 165
2022 South Sydney 15 0 10 0 20
2023– Dolphins 42 7 1 0 30
Total 202 40 71 1 303
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2015–24 New Zealand 16 2 0 0 8
2020–24 Māori All Stars 3 2 3 0 14
Source: [1]
As of 8 September 2024

Kodi Nikorima (born 3 April 1994) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a five-eighth, halfback and fullback for the Dolphins in the National Rugby League (NRL).

He previously played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, the New Zealand Warriors and the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL. He has represented New Zealand and captained Māori All Stars at international level.

Background

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Nikorima was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand, and is of Māori and Irish descent.[2][3] He moved to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia as a 12-year-old.[citation needed]

Nikorima played his junior rugby league for the Aspley Devils and the Pine Rivers Bears (where he won a competition). He was educated at Wavell State High School, before being signed by the Brisbane Broncos.[4][5] His younger brother Jayden Nikorima is also a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a five-eighth for the Melbourne Storm in the NRL.

Playing career

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Early career (2012-2014)

[edit]
Nikorima playing for the Broncos NYC team in 2014

From 2012 to 2014, Nikorima played for the Brisbane Broncos' NYC team, playing 67 games, scoring 40 tries and kicking 9 goals for 178 points.[6]

In February 2014, Nikorima was selected in the Broncos runners-up 2014 Auckland Nines squad.[7] On 5 October 2014, Nikorima played for the Broncos in their 2014 NYC Grand Final against the New Zealand Warriors, playing at fullback and scoring a try in the 34-32 loss.[8] On 18 October 2014, Nikorima played for the Junior Kiwis against the Junior Kangaroos, playing at fullback and scoring a try in the 15-14 win at Mt Smart Stadium.[9][10]

Brisbane Broncos (2015-2019)

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In January and February 2015, Nikorima played for the Broncos in the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines.[11] In Round 2 of the 2015 NRL season, Nikorima made his NRL debut for the Broncos against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, playing off the interchange bench in the Broncos' 10-2 win at Remondis Stadium.[12] On 28 April, he was named as 18th-man for New Zealand against Australia in the 2015 Anzac Test.[13] On 12 May, he re-signed with the Broncos on a one-year contract.[14][15] In Round 20 against the Gold Coast Titans, he scored his first NRL career try in the Broncos' 34-0 win at Suncorp Stadium.[16] On 4 October, he played off the interchange bench in the Broncos' 17-16 golden-point extra-time loss to the North Queensland Cowboys in the 2015 NRL Grand Final.[17][18] He finished off his debut season in the NRL having played in 20 matches and scoring 1 try for the Broncos.[19] On 9 October, he was selected in the 23-man New Zealand squad to tour England.[20] He was one of four members of Brisbane's grand final team to be included in coach Stephen Kearney's squad for the three-test tour and one of six rookies to have received an international call-up by the Kiwis. On 2 November, he made his international debut against England, playing off the interchange bench in the Kiwis' 12-26 loss at KC Stadium.[21][22] In the second test of the series, he was chosen to start at halfback over fellow rookie Tuimoala Lolohea, in the Kiwis' 9-2 win at London Olympic Stadium.[23] On 14 November, in the third and final test match against England, Nikorima kept his starting halfback spot for the Kiwis in their 14-20 final loss at DW Stadium.[24][25]

On 6 May 2016, Nikorima played for New Zealand against Australia in the 2016 Anzac Test, starting at five-eighth after being originally named on the interchange bench in the Kiwis' 16-0 loss at Hunter Stadium.[26] In Round 17 against the Melbourne Storm, he dislocated his shoulder during the first half, where he played the rest of the match with the injury.[27] After the match, he was ruled out for the rest of the year.[28] On 7 September, he extended his contract with the Broncos for a further 2 years, until the end of the 2018 season.[29] He finished the 2016 season having played in 16 matches and scoring 2 tries for the Broncos.[30]

Nikorima spent the early rounds of the 2017 season playing in the QLD Cup for the Norths Devils before making his first appearance for the Broncos in Round 6 against the Sydney Roosters, playing off the interchange bench in the 32-8 win at Suncorp Stadium.[31] When Broncos first choice halfback Ben Hunt was sidelined with a hamstring injury for 5 matches, Nikorima was selected to fill in at halfback and it come with great success resulting with the Broncos winning 5 matches in a row and him scoring 4 tries in that period of time.[32] On 5 May 2017, Nikorima played for New Zealand in the 2017 ANZAC Test against Australia where he played off the interchange bench in the 30-12 loss at Canberra Stadium.[33] On 17 July 2017, Nikorima extended his contract with the Broncos to the end of the 2020 season.[34] Nikorima finished the 2017 NRL season with him playing in 19 matches and scoring 7 tries for the Broncos. On 5 October 2017, Nikorima was named in the 24-man New Zealand Kiwis squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.[35] In the Kiwis first pool match against Samoa, Nikorima scored his first international try for the Kiwis in the 38-8 win at Mt Smart Stadium.[36] Nikorima finished the Kiwis disappointing campaign with him playing in 3 matches and scoring 1 try.

In 2018, Nikorima played as halfback in every game of the three match Kiwis tour of England in the northern autumn. He scored a try and was awarded man of the match in the Kiwis's 34-0 drubbing of England that was the final game.[37]

New Zealand Warriors (2019-2022)

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Nikorima playing for the Broncos in 2019

After playing seven games for the Broncos in 2019,[38] Nikorima was told that he wouldn't be guaranteed a position in the halves. The New Zealand Warriors had expressed an interest in him as a half, and Nikorima said that they had offered "a future for me in the position I want to play."[39] Nikorima was granted an immediate release by the Broncos and signed a two-and-a-half-year contract to play for the Warriors.[40] His first game for his new club was their 26-18 victory over St George Illawarra at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.[41]

Nikorima made 19 appearances for the New Zealand Warriors in the 2020 NRL season and 21 games in the 2021 NRL season.[42]

South Sydney Rabbitohs (2022)

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On 9 May 2022, Nikorima signed a two-year deal to join South Sydney effective immediately. Nikorima made his club debut for South Sydney against his former club New Zealand in a 32–30 victory at Suncorp Stadium in round 10 of the 2022 NRL season.[43] He played a total of 15 games for South Sydney in the 2022 NRL season including all three of the club's finals matches as they reached the preliminary final, in which Souths lost 12-32 to eventual premiers Penrith.[44]

Dolphins (2023-present)

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Nikorima (centre) with the Dolphins in 2024

In 2023, Nikorima made his club debut and scored a try for the Dolphins in round 3 against the Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium. In total, he played twenty-one games and scored four tries for the Dolphins in 2023.

On 13 August 2024, it was announced that Nikorima had re-signed with the club on a two year deal.[45] Nikorima played 21 games for the Dolphins in the 2024 NRL season as the club finished 10th on the table.[46]

Further information: List of Dolphins (NRL) players

Statistics

[edit]
Year Team Games Tries Goals FGs Pts
2015 Brisbane Broncos 20 1 4
2016 16 2 8
2017 19 7 28
2018 24 10 40
2019 7 2 8
New Zealand Warriors 14 3 1 14
2020 19 3 17 1 47
2021 21 4 42 100
2022 5 1 4
South Sydney Rabbitohs 15 10 20
2023 Dolphins 21 4 16
2024 21 3 1 14
Totals 202 40 71 1 303

Source: [47]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Kodi Nikorima - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  2. ^ "2015 Brothers Kodi and Jayden Nikorima Battle for Vacant Spot". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  3. ^ "7th Tackle: Luck of the Irish finds Keary". Yahoo. 5 April 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  4. ^ "Nikorima happy biding time on bench". NRL.com. 12 May 2015. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  5. ^ "Broncos bid to buy back the farm". Dailytelegraph.com.au. 30 March 2013. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  6. ^ "N". Nyc Database. 27 December 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  7. ^ NRL Ladder (14 February 2014). "Squads For Auckland Nines". Rugby League Week. Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  8. ^ "Holden Cup Grand Final 2014: Kodi and Jayden Nikorima set to lead Broncos to glory". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  9. ^ "2014 JUNIOR KIWIS TEAM ANNOUNCED". Rugbyleagueweek.com.au. 10 October 2014. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  10. ^ "Kiwi kids cause Kangaroos upset". NRL.com. 18 October 2014. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  11. ^ "Kodi Nikorima to make Broncos debut after backing from Darren Lockyer". Couriermail.com.au. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  12. ^ "NRL 2015 - Round 2". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  13. ^ "Kodi Nikorima Called Into New Zealand Squad As 18th Man After Just Seven NRL Games". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  14. ^ "Kodi Nikorima extends Broncos contract | NRL". Zero Tackle. 12 May 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  15. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Kodi Extends Contract". Broncos.com.au. 11 May 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  16. ^ "Broncos trounce Titans to extend streak". NRL.com. 24 July 2015. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  17. ^ Michael Chammas (25 February 2016). "NRL Grand Final 2015: North Queensland Cowboys outgun Brisbane Broncos to win premiership". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  18. ^ "NRL Grand Final Player Ratings Broncos V Cowboys Who Starred And Who Struggled". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  19. ^ "Custom Match List". Rugby League Project. 20 February 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  20. ^ "Home | Live Scores & Latest News". Fox Sports. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  21. ^ "New Zealand 19-man squad named for first game". Englandrl.co.uk. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  22. ^ Fletcher, Paul (1 November 2015). "International Series 2015: England 26-12 New Zealand - BBC Sport". Bbc.com. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  23. ^ Fletcher, Paul (7 November 2015). "International Series 2015: England 2-9 New Zealand - BBC Sport". Bbc.com. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  24. ^ "Kiwis stick with Kodi Nikorima at halfback for deciding test". Stuff.co.nz. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  25. ^ "England V New Zealand 3rd Test Hosts Take Series With Nervy 20-14 Win Over Kiwis In Wigan". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  26. ^ "UPDATED: Representative Round team lists". NRL.com. 28 February 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  27. ^ Rugby League (1 July 2016). "Brisbane Broncos' Kodi Nikorima has shoulder popped back in during NRL game". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  28. ^ "Home | Live Scores & Latest News". Fox Sports. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  29. ^ "Broncos re-sign rising utility Kodi Nikorima". Couriermail.com.au. 7 September 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  30. ^ "Custom Match List". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  31. ^ "Brisbane Sends SOS to Kodi Nikorima As They Look to Find Their attacking Spark". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  32. ^ "Broncos Give Kodi Nikorima Six Weeks to Prove Himself Ahead of Jack Bird's Transfer Decision". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  33. ^ Matthey, James (5 May 2017). "'The greatest I've ever seen'". News.com.au. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  34. ^ Hunt becomes the hunted as Nikorima lurks The Courier Mail (subscription required)
  35. ^ "Kiwis World Cup squad named". 5 October 2017.
  36. ^ "New Zealand v Samoa score; match report, result and video highlights from Rugby League World Cup | Daily Telegraph". Archived from the original on 30 October 2017.
  37. ^ "Nikorima stars as Kiwis cane England". NRL.com. 12 November 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  38. ^ "KODI NIKORIMA". Zero Tackle. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  39. ^ "NRL: Kodi Nikorima unfazed by filling Shaun Johnson's boots for Warriors". newshub. 5 May 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  40. ^ "Kodi Nikorima welcomes 'new challenge' as Warriors confirm his signing". stuff. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  41. ^ "Warriors dig deep into box of tricks for Magic Round win over Dragons". stuff. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  42. ^ "Warriors to make finals in 2021". www.nrl.com. December 2020.
  43. ^ "Warriors sign duo as Kodi Nikorima departs for South Sydney Rabbitohs". www.loverugbyleague.com. 9 May 2022.
  44. ^ "Penrith Panthers defeat South Sydney Rabbitohs 32-12 to qualify for third straight NRL grand final". ABC News. 24 September 2022.
  45. ^ "Nikorima extends until the end of 2026". The Dolphins. 13 August 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  46. ^ "The Mole's end-of-season review: How one star 'lost his way' as Dolphins struggle with 'demanding' schedule". www.nine.com.au.
  47. ^ "Kodi Nikorima - Playing Career - RLP". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
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