Departing Raiders star Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad breaks down in final game in Canberra
Departing Canberra star Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has broken down in tears after playing his final game for the Green Machine.
NRL
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Canberra Raiders fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad had finished career in the nation’s capital in a emotion farewell to his club.
The 27-year-old New Zealander joined the club from the Warriors and turned into one of the breakout stars in 2019 when the Raiders made the Grand Final, only to go down 14-8 in controversial circumstances to the Roosters.
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But far from a packed Accor Stadium on the first weekend in October, Nicoll-Klokstad’s Raiders career ended in front of a handful of spectators at Canberra’s GIO Stadium in a win over the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles in the NSW Cup.
Of his 73 games in the NRL, 66 have been with the Raiders.
Nicoll-Klokstad will rejoin the Warriors next season after signing as the Broncos poached Reece Walsh out of Auckland.
A proud New Zealander, Nicoll-Klokstad has played three Test for the Kiwis as well as one for the Maori All-Stars but will likely represent the Cook Islands during the Rugby League World Cup later this year, a nation he’s represented three times.
As neither team is playing finals, it was a rather pointless affair for the most part, except to Nicoll-Klokstad, who had an emotional farewell.
Nicoll-Klokstad played 12 games in first grade this season but hasn’t played since round 16 as young gun Xavier Savage made the Raiders’ No. 1 jersey his own.
The Raiders claimed a 24-12 win over the Sea Eagles as Nicoll-Klokstad ran 162m, scored two tries, including the final one, set up a try and kicked a goal as the Raiders sent him off fondly.
He was clearly emotional after the try and took a moment to compose himself.
“It’s such a well deserved way for him to go out here, he’s had such a good stint at the Canberra Raiders,” Tim Mannah said in commentary. “He’s a much loved member of this playing squad and he gets to finish off the way he deserves, with a try under the posts and giving his side a win they can take home right now.”
The smattering of fans cheered as Nicoll-Klokstad lined up to kick the conversion.
He was clearly emotional as he ran back to receive the kick, squatting to the ground to compose himself.
“He’s getting emotional, you can only imagine what’s going through his head at the moment,” Mannah said. “So many great memories of this club and to leave such a big chapter of your life behind.”
Matt Russell added: “This is great vision. This is essentially a reserve grade game kicking off at 11 o’clock in the morning but the Canberra Raiders have meant so much to Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad that as it dawns that this passage of his life is over, have a look at the effect it has on him.
“That’s how important rugby league and the memories and friendships built at a club are to these individuals.”
Nicoll-Klokstad then gave a fond farewell to the club, unless he’s called up to first grade for the final round or finals, assuming the Raiders make it.
“It’s been an emotional week. Four good years here at this club. So grateful for all the memories that I’ve been able to share with these boys. So grateful for this club for the opportunity. And I’m so glad that I’ll forever be Raider #355.
“I just want to thank you guys so much. Even after I signed to go back home, everyone has been so supportive. I just want to thank everyone – my family back home, my boys and my wife in the stands. It means so much.
“It’s been a rollercoaster two years so it’s good to be able to finish on a high and finish off with the future Canberra Raiders boys.”
Before the match, Nicoll-Klokstad said it’d been an emotional week.
“It’s been a bit of a week for me, in and out of emotions,” he said.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time here and it’s not how I wanted to finish here but memories last forever and I’ve got a really good bunch of them.”
He said his favourite memories were running out for his first match in Canberra and the 2019 preliminary final, which was held in Canberra.
Originally published as Departing Raiders star Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad breaks down in final game in Canberra
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