Kodi Nikorima
Player Info
- Name
- Kodi Nikorima
- Date of Birth
- 03/04/94
- Place of Birth
- Palmerston North
- Height
- 174cm
- Weight
- 83 kg
- Nationality
- New Zealand
- Warriors #
- 236
- Warriors Debut (Date and Match Details)
- 11th May 2019 vs St George-Illawarra Dragons, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- Junior Club
- Aspley Devils
- Signed From
- Brisbane Broncos
- Position
- Fullback
- Five Eighth
- Halfback
- Hooker
- Wikipedia Page
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodi_Nikorima
Kodi Nikorima (born 3 April 1994) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL. Nikorima can play as a halfback, five-eighth, hooker and fullback. He previously played for the Brisbane Broncos and is a New Zealand international representative.
Born in Palmerston North, New Zealand, Nikorima is of Māori and Irish descent. He moved to Brisbane, Australia as a 12-year-old and played his junior rugby league for the Aspley Devils, while being educated at Wavell State High School, before being signed by the Brisbane Broncos. His younger brother Jayden Nikorima is also a professional rugby league footballer who used to play for the Sydney Roosters.
From 2012 to 2014, Nikorima played for the Brisbane Broncos' NYC team.
In February 2014, Nikorima was selected in the Broncos runners-up 2014 Auckland Nines squad. On 5 October 2014, Nikorima played for the Broncos in their 2014 NYC Grand Final match against the New Zealand Warriors, playing at fullback and scoring a try in the 34-32 loss. 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.
2015
In January and February, Nikorima played for the Broncos in the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines. 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. On 28 April, he was named as 18th-man for New Zealand against Australia in the 2015 Anzac Test. On 12 May, he re-signed with the Broncos on a one-year contract. In Round 20 against the Gold Coast Titans, he scored his first NRL career try in the Broncos' 34-0 win at Suncorp Stadium. 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. He finished off his debut season in the NRL having played in 20 matches and scoring 1 try for the Broncos. On 9 October, he was selected in the 23-man New Zealand squad to tour England. 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. 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. 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.
2016
On 6 May, 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. 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. After the match, he was ruled out for the rest of the year. On 7 September, he extended his contract with the Broncos for a further 2 years, until the end of the 2018 season. He finished the 2016 season having played in 16 matches and scoring 2 tries for the Broncos.
2017
Nikorima spent the early rounds of the 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. 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. 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. On 17 July 2017, Nikorima extended his contract with the Broncos to the end of the 2020 season. 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. 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. Nikorima finished the Kiwis disappointing campaign with him playing in 3 matches and scoring 1 try.
2019
Kiwi international Kodi Nikorima is to join the Vodafone Warriors immediately after being snared from Brisbane through to the end of the 2021 NRL season.
Vodafone Warriors chief executive Cameron George confirmed the Palmerston North-born 25-year-old Nikorima would be in line to make his Vodafone Warriors debut when they face St George Illawarra in the NRL’s inaugural Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday, May 11 (5.30pm kick-off).
“We couldn’t be more excited to secure a player of Kodi’s calibre, especially at this stage of the season,” said George.
“We’ve been patient in watching the player market for some time. Peter O’Sullivan and our recruitment team have done a terrific job in securing Kodi, who will certainly add value to our club.”
Nikorima joins the Vodafone Warriors after making 86 appearances for the Broncos, the last of them in last Saturday night’s 29-6 win over Cronulla. In his rookie season in 2015 he was on the bench in Brisbane’s golden point grand final loss to North Queensland.
A Kiwi debutant the same year, he has now played 13 Tests, starring at halfback in the Kiwis’ 2018 end-of-season internationals against Australia and England. He was the man of the match in the 34-0 third Test win over England at Elland Road in November.
“Kodi will bring a lot to our club with his ability and experience,” said Vodafone Warriors general manager football Brian Smith.
“He’ll also be a huge help around the club in helping to mentor our young halves.”
Nikorima will arrive in Auckland this weekend and will be at Mount Smart Stadium to watch the Vodafone Warriors take on Newcastle on Sunday.
“I’m really excited about coming to the Vodafone Warriors and moving to Auckland,” he said.
“It’s a new challenge after being at the Broncos for so long but I’m looking forward to working with the coaching staff and the players. I like the direction the club is heading in and it will also be good to be around a lot of familiar faces, both the coaches and team-mates.
“I also want to thank the Broncos for the opportunity they gave me to develop as a player. The club has been a huge part of my life and I’m grateful for the way so many people supported me there.”
Throughout his NRL career, Nikorima has demonstrated his utility value. Used off the bench in his first two seasons, he provided options in the halves as well as at hooker and fullback. Since then he has been used mainly at halfback but has also started at fullback.
Born in Palmerston North, New Zealand, Nikorima is of Māori and Irish descent. He moved to Brisbane, Australia as a 12-year-old and played his junior rugby league for the Aspley Devils, while being educated at Wavell State High School, before being signed by the Brisbane Broncos. His younger brother Jayden Nikorima is also a professional rugby league footballer who used to play for the Sydney Roosters.
From 2012 to 2014, Nikorima played for the Brisbane Broncos' NYC team.
In February 2014, Nikorima was selected in the Broncos runners-up 2014 Auckland Nines squad. On 5 October 2014, Nikorima played for the Broncos in their 2014 NYC Grand Final match against the New Zealand Warriors, playing at fullback and scoring a try in the 34-32 loss. 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.
2015
In January and February, Nikorima played for the Broncos in the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines. 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. On 28 April, he was named as 18th-man for New Zealand against Australia in the 2015 Anzac Test. On 12 May, he re-signed with the Broncos on a one-year contract. In Round 20 against the Gold Coast Titans, he scored his first NRL career try in the Broncos' 34-0 win at Suncorp Stadium. 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. He finished off his debut season in the NRL having played in 20 matches and scoring 1 try for the Broncos. On 9 October, he was selected in the 23-man New Zealand squad to tour England. 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. 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. 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.
2016
On 6 May, 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. 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. After the match, he was ruled out for the rest of the year. On 7 September, he extended his contract with the Broncos for a further 2 years, until the end of the 2018 season. He finished the 2016 season having played in 16 matches and scoring 2 tries for the Broncos.
2017
Nikorima spent the early rounds of the 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. 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. 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. On 17 July 2017, Nikorima extended his contract with the Broncos to the end of the 2020 season. 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. 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. Nikorima finished the Kiwis disappointing campaign with him playing in 3 matches and scoring 1 try.
2019
Kiwi international Kodi Nikorima is to join the Vodafone Warriors immediately after being snared from Brisbane through to the end of the 2021 NRL season.
Vodafone Warriors chief executive Cameron George confirmed the Palmerston North-born 25-year-old Nikorima would be in line to make his Vodafone Warriors debut when they face St George Illawarra in the NRL’s inaugural Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday, May 11 (5.30pm kick-off).
“We couldn’t be more excited to secure a player of Kodi’s calibre, especially at this stage of the season,” said George.
“We’ve been patient in watching the player market for some time. Peter O’Sullivan and our recruitment team have done a terrific job in securing Kodi, who will certainly add value to our club.”
Nikorima joins the Vodafone Warriors after making 86 appearances for the Broncos, the last of them in last Saturday night’s 29-6 win over Cronulla. In his rookie season in 2015 he was on the bench in Brisbane’s golden point grand final loss to North Queensland.
A Kiwi debutant the same year, he has now played 13 Tests, starring at halfback in the Kiwis’ 2018 end-of-season internationals against Australia and England. He was the man of the match in the 34-0 third Test win over England at Elland Road in November.
“Kodi will bring a lot to our club with his ability and experience,” said Vodafone Warriors general manager football Brian Smith.
“He’ll also be a huge help around the club in helping to mentor our young halves.”
Nikorima will arrive in Auckland this weekend and will be at Mount Smart Stadium to watch the Vodafone Warriors take on Newcastle on Sunday.
“I’m really excited about coming to the Vodafone Warriors and moving to Auckland,” he said.
“It’s a new challenge after being at the Broncos for so long but I’m looking forward to working with the coaching staff and the players. I like the direction the club is heading in and it will also be good to be around a lot of familiar faces, both the coaches and team-mates.
“I also want to thank the Broncos for the opportunity they gave me to develop as a player. The club has been a huge part of my life and I’m grateful for the way so many people supported me there.”
Throughout his NRL career, Nikorima has demonstrated his utility value. Used off the bench in his first two seasons, he provided options in the halves as well as at hooker and fullback. Since then he has been used mainly at halfback but has also started at fullback.
