NRL 2024: Briton Nikora set to join Braydon Trindall in re-signing with the Cronulla Sharks

Fresh from securing in-demand star Braydon Trindall the Cronulla Sharks have agreed to terms with Kiwi star Briton Nikora. See the contract details here.

The Sharks are on the verge of snaring a second major recruitment scalp with Test backrower Briton Nikora poised to extend his future at the club.

Off-contract at the end of 2025, Nikora has agreed to terms on a new two-year deal at Cronulla that will keep the Kiwi International in the Shire until the end of 2027.

Nikora’s impending re-signing emerged just 24-hours after this masthead revealed Braydon Trindall had committed his future to the club (see below).

Nikora’s retention at the Sharks will have significant ramifications on the open market where he was considered one the most-prized backrow signatures from a list of 2025 off-contract edge-forwards which includes Kenny Bromwich, Bryce Cartwright, Tallis Duncan, Felise Kaufusi, Connelly Lemuelu, Trent Loiero, Kai Pearce-Paul and Teig Wilton

The Sharks 2024 Player of the Year nominee is one of 12 players from Cronulla whose contracts expire at the end of 2025.

The outstanding edge-forward had the option of testing his worth on the open market, but has virtually ignored the opportunity of playing elsewhere to remain loyal to the club he made his NRL debut with in 2019.

Cronulla Sharks Briton Nikora. Picture: NRL Photos

The fact that Nikora invited a large contingent of his teammates, plus head coach Craig Fitzgibbon and chairman Steve Mace, to his wedding in Bali last month, is an indication of the 26-year-old’s connection to the club.

It’s anticipated Nikora will officially put pen to paper once he returns to Australia this week from his honeymoon.

A mainstay of the Sharks pack, Nikora is one of the most durable and consistent forwards in the game with the powerful hole-runner averaging 22-games each season since his debut.

A try-scoring threat, Nikora scored 10-tries in 2024 - the most of any Sharks forward.

Nikora’s re-signing is a major win for the Sharks, with the club facing a major challenge to retain a huge contingent of off-contract stars.

The Sharks have Cameron McInnes, Daniel Atkinson, Kade Dykes, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Sam Stonestreet, Teig Wilton, Tom Hazelton, Tuku Hau Tapuha and William Kennedy off-contract at the end of 2025.

Rising prop Oregon Kaufusi has also committed to the Sharks for the 2025 season.

Cronulla are hopeful that Kaufusi, 25, can form a formidable combination with high-profile prop recruit Addin Fonua-Blake in 2025 and choose to extend his future beyond next season.

The Samoan International and former Eels prop missed just one match in Cronulla’s 2024 preliminary final season.

HALVES MARKET SHAKE-UP AS TRINDALL MAKES CALL ON FUTURE

Trindall says the lure of winning a grand final and repaying the Sharks for their loyalty was behind his decision to re-sign with the club.

In a massive coup, Cronulla have thwarted rival clubs from luring the talented halfback away from the Shire club on the opening day of the November 1 transfer market.

The 25-year-old’s re-signing will also impact the open market for halfbacks, forcing rival clubs to search elsewhere for their future playmaker.

Over a Chinese meal at Cronulla’s Golden Bay restaurant, Trindall signed a new three-year deal on Friday that will keep him at the Sharks until the end of 2028.

The rising star said he never wanted to leave the Sharks despite being linked to the Knights, Dragons, Broncos and Dolphins.

Cronulla playmaker Braydon Trindall. Picture: NRL Imagery

“I’m obviously very excited,’’ Trindall said.

“I didn’t want to go anywhere else. The club has put a lot of trust in me over the years, so I’m looking forward to repaying them and all the fans.

“I just love this place.

“I love the club, I love the people here and love the whole organisation.

“I didn’t see myself anywhere else.

“It means the world to me. I came here when I was 18 and have done a lot of growing and still have a lot of growing to do.

“I want to make it to the grand final and hopefully win a premiership with the lads here.’’

Sharks Chairman Steve Mace (front), Back, from left to right – Sharks GM of football Darren Mooney, player agent Warwick Wright, Braydon Trindall, Shark director Dave Nicholson at Golden Bay Chinese restaurant Cronulla Leagues Club. Picture: Supplied

The Sharks board and management were unwilling to discuss the terms of the new deal when contacted by this masthead.

However, it’s understood the Sharks have Trindall locked down for the next four seasons at an average of $675,000 per-season.

While some may view the figure as a gamble given Trindall’s infancy as a halfback and just 71 NRL appearances, coupled with off-field issues when he went DUI earlier this season, it is a salary which is far removed from the $900,000 figure that had been bandied around by commentators following his breakthrough semi final match against the Cowboys last September.

“If he was on the open market now, he could name his own price,’’ League Immortal Andrew Johns said in the wake of Trindall’s semi final performance.

“I have watched him closely and he has built his game every year. I was blown away by his performance the other night.

“Hypothetically, he would be up around $900,000 for sure – there is no one around.”

The retention of Trindall is crucial for the Sharks, who have another 12 players off-contract, including skipper Cameron McInnes. Picture: Getty Images

What can’t be disputed is that Trindall’s re-signing is crucial for Cronulla as they attempt to lockdown 12 players that are currently free-agents including the likes of Cam McInnes, Daniel Atkinson, Briton Nikora, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Teig Wilton, Will Kennedy and Tom Hazelton.

Sharks chairman Steve Mace, CEO Dino Mezzatesta, coach Craig Fitzgibbon and GM of football Darren Mooney were always confident that Trindall would remain at the Sharks given the loyalty they showed the 25-year-old earlier this season and the belief in his ability by promoting him into the dominant halves role alongside Nicho Hynes in 2024.

The retention of Trindall is important for the Sharks with negotiations to re-sign Atkinson, Nikora and McInnes also underway.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Briton Nikora set to join Braydon Trindall in re-signing with the Cronulla Sharks