Rugby league: Kodi Nikorima remains positive about Warriors' NRL future despite current despair

Kodi Nikorima of the Warriors. Photo / Photosport

Kodi Nikorima is positive about the future of the Warriors, despite the uncertainty that surrounds the club at the moment.

They've had a dismal end to the season, with an average of almost 40 points conceded over the past three weeks and just one win from their past six games.

Add in the negative headlines created by the ugly dispute among the ownership group, and the fact there is not much room to reinforce the current squad and it's hard to feel too rosy about the 2020 season.

But Nikorima, who arrived from the Broncos in May, has faith they can engineer a turnaround.

"I was excited when I first got over here," said Nikorima. "We were humming and it was only a couple of weeks ago we were in finals contention but it is not to be."

The 25-year-old is unsure what has gone wrong, but knows a solution can be found.

"You can say a lot of things at the moment, because we missed out on finals," said Nikorima. "I'll reflect on my year first, then see where we can get better as a team. [But] it's very promising here. I didn't come over here because I didn't think we had a chance of [winning] premierships. I [had] seen the roster and I've got every belief that this side can do amazing things in the future.

Nikorima's switch captured the headlines and he made an instant impression, with a strong game in the comeback win over the Dragons. He was prominent in other games, but hasn't shown his full potential here, not helped by niggling injuries.

"Things didn't click straight away as we probably all had hoped," admitted Nikorima.
"I kept improving, we were doing okay and I thought we were still improving and there was a [good] six week stint there."

Nikorima said the impact on his family was the toughest part of the move.

But he has settled well, and is looking forward to building combinations and over the off season.

"It's good when you get a pre-season under your belt because you are training five days a week with the players you are preparing to play with."

On Saturday Nikorima will play his 100th first grade game (84 for the Broncos).

He's always been a talent — he shone in the Under-20s competition — but some doubted he could make the step up, given his relatively small frame (1.74m and 83kg).

"It's down to lots of hard work and all the reps that you do at training, said Nikorima. "I'm not shy on confidence and if I see an opportunity I try to take it. "

Nikorima made his NRL debut in round two of the 2015 season, an occasion memorable for a frank Wayne Bennett speech a few days before.

"Wayne announced in front of the group that I will be making my debut," recalled Nikorima. "He said I had four weeks to prove my worth otherwise it's back to Queensland Cup.

"As a young kid hearing those words from him made me give my best for the team."

The Raiders, who have sealed fourth spot, are resting four front line players for Saturday's match but will still be overwhelming favourites.

The Warriors won in Canberra last year, but that was only their fifth victory in 19 away games against the Raiders.

"We want to put in a good performance this week, otherwise we will be dwelling on that for the next six months," said Nikorima. "[We'll] go out there, have some fun and give it a red hot crack."