Broncos in major hooking dilemma as Kodi Nikorima concedes he can’t play 80 minutes at No.9
KODI Nikorima says he does not have the engine to last 80 minutes at hooker as the Broncos sweat on the seriousness of Josh McGuire’s ankle injury.
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KODI Nikorima says he does not have the engine to last 80 minutes at hooker as the Broncos sweat on the seriousness of Josh McGuire’s ankle injury.
After starting the season as Brisbane’s replacement for halfback Ben Hunt, Nikorima was last week benched in place of Jack Bird.
In the two games since, the Kiwi international has provided plenty of spark off the interchange and was key in Brisbane’s comeback victory against South Sydney on Thursday night.
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Nikorima came off the bench to fill in at hooker for most of the second half against the Rabbitohs after McGuire was sidelined.
With first-choice dummy-half Andrew McCullough (elbow) out and now back up McGuire awaiting the results of a scans, the Broncos looks set to need a new rake for Thursday’s clash against the Bulldogs at Suncorp.
Given the club’s only other specialist No.9 Jake Turpin is still recovering from a broken ankle, Nikorima is the most obvious choice.
But when asked if he would put his hand up, Nikorima said he would only do it if Bennett needed him to.
“Nope … I don’t have 80 minutes in me at hooker,” Nikorima said.
“We’ll see what we can do when we go back to training next week but we’ve got a couple of options there.
“Obviously if Wayne turns around to me next week and says, ‘you’re playing hooker’, I’ll play hooker ... I’m happy to, I don’t mind.
“But I don’t have 80 minutes.”
Nikorima suggested Norths halfback Todd Murphy could be one option for Bennett to consider.
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