Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is eyeing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s New Zealand fullback spot
As he prepares to make his Test debut for New Zealand, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is ready to take his grand final form for Canberra into the battle for fullback spot with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
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Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has fired a friendly shot at fullback rival Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, saying club form should count to Test selection.
Nicoll-Klokstad left New Zealand last year because he was unable to crack a starting spot at the Warriors, and has had a sensational debut year with Canberra that culminated in the NRL grand final.
The 24-year-old Raiders fullback makes his Test debut for the Kiwis against Australia at WIN Stadium on Friday night. He will play his first game for New Zealand at centre but he already has one eye on Tuivasa-Sheck’s No.1 jumper.
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“He’ll definitely get it this time for sure, he’s a freak. He’s a grand final winner, a Dally M winner and it’s so good to be around him again,” Nicoll-Klokstad said.
“But for sure, I’m always going to be nipping at his feet for that fullback position. I’m not too sure what the future holds but I do know (winning positions) starts at club land.”
The competition between the two former Warriors teammates isn’t anything new. Nicoll-Klokstad told The Daily Telegraph he was constantly trying to one-up Tuivasa-Sheck whether it be on the training field or in the gym.
“Even back home when we were training, doing weights it was always like ‘how much are you benching?’” Nicoll-Klokstad said.
“He’ll say 110kg and I’ll make sure to mention I’m doing 115kg. We’ve always been like that with each other.”
But while there is a healthy rivalry between Nicoll-Klokstad and Tuivasa-Sheck, it is one that is steeped a mutual respect.
When Tuivasa-Sheck spotted Raiders boss Don Furner at the NRL’s season launch in March he went out of his way to endorse Nicoll-Klokstad, heaping praise on coach Ricky Stuart’s last minute signing.
“When Don told me I felt like saying to him, 'I hope your expectations aren’t too high of me now’ because before this year there was a lot wondering if I was good enough to be here in my mind,” he said.
“I just thought once I left that’s it. But for Roger to go in and bat for me at the start of year means a lot to me. He’s been in my corner and someone I can talk too whenever I needed it.”
October has been an emotional rollercoaster for Nicoll-Klokstad.
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Nicoll-Klokstad admitted earning the Test cap had eased some of the pain of watching the Roosters lift the premiership trophy after they beat the Raiders 14-8 in the decider three weeks ago.
“Wearing the Kiwis jersey does help but I’m still hurt, I’m still thinking about the grand final. I’m still fired up about. That’s footy I guess, I just hope I get the opportunity to try and get there again and to try and win the title. But yeah, being in this jersey means so much to me. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be here,” he said.
Originally published as Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is eyeing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s New Zealand fullback spot