Kodi Nikorima struggling to deliver in the ‘pressure-cooker moments’

KODI Nikorima’s 10-game winning streak at halfback was broken in a shocking way, with the young player still struggling to deliver in the ‘pressure-cooker moments’.

BEFORE Thursday night, Kodi Nikorima had not lost a match as Brisbane’s halfback.

But his 10-game winning-streak was broken in a shocking way, as the Broncos sunk to a humiliating 52-34 loss to fellow top four contenders in the Eels.

For Nikorima, 10 games as a winning No. 7 is an impressive feat.

But Thursday night’s heavy defeat will definitely pose a lot of questions over whether he is ready to lead the Broncos into the finals.

There is no doubt Nikorima had little help around him.

The first cracks started to appear without injured hooker Andrew McCullough in the middle and the forwards could just not aim up to Parramatta’s big men.

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Kodi Nikorima in action against the Eels.

But when the Kiwi international’s halves partner Anthony Milford started to find some spark and found ways to get Brisbane back into the game, Nikorima still appeared lost.

He had his bursts of energy. He made three tackle busts and one offload. But his involvement in Brisbane’s kicking game was minimal.

And given coach Wayne Bennett last week said his key playmaker was “off the pace”, Thursday night’s performance would not have been the way that Nikorima would have wanted to respond.

There is no doubt Nikorima has plenty of talent.

He has surged this year from Brisbane’s “super sub” to become their halfback — a role he is expected to retain moving into 2018.

It is also no secret that wearing the No. 7 jersey at Brisbane brings with it plenty of expectation and pressure.

But, despite this burden, Nikorima does have a lot to prove as the Broncos move into their finals.

He needs to deliver more in those pressure-cooker moments.

When the Broncos scored two tries within the space of five minutes midway through the second half, it was the perfect time for Bennett’s men to pounce.

But instead, Parramatta scored another three tries.

This is when Nikorima should have taken charge. Hopefully it was a lesson learnt for the young playmaker.

Originally published as Kodi Nikorima struggling to deliver in the ‘pressure-cooker moments’