Kodi Nikorima puts faith in brother Jayden’s NRL redemption following drugs ban
BRISBANE halfback Kodi Nikorima has broken his silence on the drugs shame surrounding brother Jayden and backed the former Broncos prodigy to fight his way back into the NRL.
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BRISBANE halfback Kodi Nikorima has broken his silence on the drugs shame surrounding brother Jayden and backed the former Broncos prodigy to fight his way back into the NRL.
Nikorima will come up against childhood idol Benji Marshall on Friday night when the Broncos confront the resurgent Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium.
But the Broncos No. 7 has become a mentor himself, guiding the resurrection of his younger brother following a drugs ban.
Jayden, 21, is serving a 12-game suspension after twice testing positive to illicit drugs.
He was sacked by the Roosters last year following the second positive test, forfeiting a $380,000 contract for 2018.
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Jayden has returned to Brisbane, signing with Intrust Super Cup club Redcliffe in the hope of mimicking Matt Lodge’s return to the NRL.
Kodi, 23, said the suspension was a reality check his talented brother needed.
“I know my brother — he needed a real kick up the arse,” he told The Courier-Mail.
“He has got that now. He’s a lot happier.
“To his credit, he has moved on from it. He’s got a job working with his physio’s business and is training at Redcliffe.
“He is pretty much like a normal person now. I think it would have brought him back down to earth and made him hungrier to get back into the NRL now.
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“He’s like someone with a 7am-3pm job. He’s got to work hard now for his money. He’s got to earn his money now. He drives trucks and lives at home with mum and dad.
“He put an alcohol ban on himself when he got here and that is going well for him.”
The Broncos ushered controversial prop Lodge back into the NRL during his two-year exile through Redcliffe.
Jayden was one of the club’s hottest young playmaking talents before being poached by the Roosters, where he managed seven NRL appearances over two seasons.
Kodi, a Kiwi Test representative, said his brother had the potential to break back into the NRL next season.
“No doubt once his 12 weeks is up, he will really start to enjoy himself (playing for Redcliffe),” he said.
“He’s getting a bit frustrated at the moment that he can’t play.
“He will be back bigger and stronger. I reckon he should be able to fit into any NRL system straight away.
“He is talented and I reckon all this work he is doing off the field will help him on the field.
“He wouldn’t want to let that opportunity slip again. It’s all on him to turn it around.”
Jayden has the ultimate idol to look up to in Kodi, who will again don Brisbane’s No. 7 jersey tomorrow night.
Nikorima has stepped into the Broncos playmaking hot-seat permanently this season after being tutored by his boyhood idol Marshall last year during his cameo at the Broncos.
Nikorima grew up wanting to copy Marshall’s flamboyant style but it was another part of halfback play that rubbed off on him during 2017.
“He really helped me with my game management,” Nikorima said.
“(Anthony Milford) and I try to play like Benji with that flair but he brought a cool and calm head.
“He knew when to kick long or when we needed to turn the tide. He knew the plays that should be run at what times. That’s what he helped me with.
“I feel like I’ve tried to take on more of a leadership role. I wanted to talk a bit more and lead my boys around the park better.”
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