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Former Warriors halfback heading to the Dolphins

(Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

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NRL utility Kodi Nikorima will head to the Dolphins for their inaugural season, having signed a two-year deal with the league’s 17th club.

Nikorima only joined current club South Sydney in May after being granted an early release by the Warriors, but will join the Redcliffe-based side after the 2022 season as they continue to accumulate talent for their 2023 debut campaign.

The Dolphins say they’ve signed him as a hooker, but the 28-year-old NZ international has shown his ability to play at fullback and in the halves too.

They already have impressive Canterbury No.9 Jeremy Marshall-King on their books.

Nikorima previously played under Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett when with Brisbane, where he debuted in the NRL in 2015 and went on to play 88 matches.

Dolphins’ chief executive Terry Reader said Nikorima was ready to return to his home state, having moved to Brisbane from New Zealand when he was 12.

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“Kodi is yet another example of one of the reasons the Dolphins were brought into the competition – to allow local Queensland players to play NRL in the areas they were developed.

“We know he is a very dangerous player as a hooker who can also provide cover for other positions across the backline.

“Kodi has more than 150 NRL games to his name as well as playing Tests for New Zealand and importantly has a history of performing under our head coach Wayne Bennett.”

Rabbitohs half Cody Walker admitted the deal provided a great chance for Nikorima to make his mark at the new club.

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“Obviously, he’s fitted in really well with the culture of the club … he’s a great guy,” Walker told reporters.

“(It’s) great to have around and he’s got a great family. He’s fitted in nicely but I think that’s a good opportunity for him.”

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Nickers 33 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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