Rugby League: Nikorima's display caps rollercoaster week

Nikorima gave an impressive display at halfback in the 9-2 victory, linking well with his outside runners and creating the space for the Kiwis' only try. Photo / Patrick Hamilton

Kodi Nikorima is a pretty relaxed kind of guy. The Kiwis utility is not overly demonstrative - and keeps a level head - but admits he was "pretty excited" when coach Stephen Kearney made him a late inclusion in the second test side, at the expense of Tui Lolohea.

Nikorima gave an impressive display at halfback in the 9-2 victory, linking well with his outside runners and creating the space for the Kiwis' only try.

The performance capped a rollercoaster few days for Nikorima. On Tuesday he wastold by Kearney that he was dropped from the 17, with Lewis Brown replacing him on the bench. But late on Thursday afternoon, after the team returned from a luncheon at the New Zealand High Commission, Kearney took him aside again to tell him was starting in the test match, instead of Lolohea.

"I was pretty excited," said Nikorima. "Earlier in the week Mooks had told me I wasn't playing - he told me he was going with experience on the bench - but I didn't drop my head, I kept working hard in training."

That focused approach paid dividends, and Nikorima's cool head showed in his performance. He was fully involved from the outset, and in a match of few opportunities, also had two breaks in open play.

But he struggled to get through the second half, badly affected by cramp. At times he was receiving assistance during every break in play, as the toll of playing a full match became apparent. Nikorima averaged 20 minutes a game for the Broncos this year, and played only a total of 27 minutes in the last three matches of the year.

"The full 80 got to me a bit," said Nikorima. "The last time I played a full match was the Under-20s grand final last year. Hopefully I'll get some salts in this week and be better next week."

The cramping may have been the reason Nikorima bungled a late try-scoring opportunity, but he wasn't using that as an excuse. The halfback was given a clear run to the line by Jason Nightingale in the 74th minute, only to spill the ball in the act of scoring.

"My eyes lit up - I didn't know what was going on," said Nikorima. "I thought I was over but the ball popped out. To the boys' credit we got back in position and Jordan Kahu hit that field goal which gave us a bit of breathing space, so no one will be blaming me ... I hope."

No chance.

Kearney admitted the late switch of Nikorima for Lolohea was one of the biggest calls of his coaching career.

Kearney - acting on a hunch and some feedback from his coaching staff - decided to make the change.

"It was a real big call," said Kearney. "At the beginning of the week I had it in my mind that I would use Tui there [at halfback]. But over the course of the week I just had a feeling myself - and in consultation with the coaching group - I thought Kodi would be a better fit for us today."

Kearney stressed the move - which is rare in the modern game - was purely tactical and based on a gut feel.

"It was certainly nothing that Tui did or anything," said Kearney. "I just felt Kodi was the better fit."