Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf says Kodi Nikorima is not for sale as the club chases George Williams
The Dolphins have slammed the door shut on Sam Burgess’ pursuit of reborn five-eighth Kodi Nikorima amid Redcliffe’s chase for English halfback George Williams.
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The Dolphins have slammed the door shut on Sam Burgess’ pursuit of reborn five-eighth Kodi Nikorima amid Redcliffe’s chase for English halfback George Williams.
On the back of snaring Broncos star Selwyn Cobbo, the Dolphins have made moves to bring former Canberra playmaker Williams back to the NRL next year.
Super League club Warrington is open to releasing Williams to the Dolphins – but want something in return.
There has been talk of a ludicrous $400,000 transfer fee for Williams or for the Dolphins to swap Nikorima, who Wolves coach Burgess has a high opinion of.
But that won’t be happening, according to Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf.
“We’ve been linked to every half, five-eighth that’s looked like coming off-contract,” he said.
“I don’t want to talk about ifs and buts. He (Williams) is a very good player. I’ve coached against him plenty of times.
“I saw the report yesterday. Kodi Nikorima is not up for sale or going to be swapped. That’s not going to happen.
“Kodi’s a really integral part of our team. He’s got a big role and presence. I really enjoy his company and coaching him.
“He’s playing his best footy at the moment. I love what he’s doing. That’s one thing we wouldn’t entertain.”
Nikorima, 31, is contracted to the Dolphins until the end of next year and has flourished under the coaching of Woolf this season.
He has formed a deadly combination with boom halfback Isaiya Katoa that has helped the Dolphins fight back into finals contention after a 0-4 start to the season.
Nikorima will face former club South Sydney on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium where he will oppose Rabbitohs gun Cody Walker in his return from injury.
The Dolphins’ big margin three-game winning streak came to an end against Newcastle in Perth last weekend and Woolf is hoping they can bounce back against the Wayne Bennett-coached Souths.
“I know a Wayne Bennett team is not going to beat themselves,” he said.
“They’re going to be very low on errors. They’re going to hang in no matter the situation and play for 80 minutes.
“They’ve got some real class that they use really well.
“Having Cody back is a great in for them. That combination with him and Latrell (Mitchell) and Jack Wighton going back to his best position at centre gives them such a dangerous left edge. We know they’re going to rely on and go to that when the game’s on the line.
“There’s no tricks. We’ve got to worry about ourselves and bring our best.”
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Originally published as Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf says Kodi Nikorima is not for sale as the club chases George Williams
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