Rising Canberra fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad ready to take on the best player in the world

Unknown only months ago, rising Canberra fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is now besting the likes of James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Kalyn Ponga and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in one key attacking stat.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad of the Raiders evades a tackle by Nicholas Meaney of the Bulldogs during the Round 12 NRL match between the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs and the Canberra Raiders at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Saturday, June 1, 2019. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is the new kick return king of the NRL.

On the eve of his blockbuster Super Sunday showdown with Roosters megastar James Tedesco, The Saturday Telegraph can reveal rising Canberra No. 1 Nicoll-Klokstad is the best kick returner in a stellar field which includes Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Kalyn Ponga and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

So impressive has the 24-year-old Aucklander been in his breakout season, Fox Sports analyst Michael Ennis says the Raiders’ hyphenated hero must now “join any conversation” involving the premier fullbacks in rugby league.

According to the Fox Sports Lab, Nicoll-Klokstad is averaging more kick return metres than any fullback with five or more top grade games this year.

Currently, CNK leads the NRL with 1195m, or more than two football fields on his nearest rival, Tedesco.

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Nicoll-Klokstad is one of the most improved players in the competition. AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.

When it comes to game averages, the rising Raiders star also sits first with 62m — ahead of Tedesco (59m), Trbojevic (55m), Penrith’s Dylan Edwards (53m) and Melbourne Stormer Jahrome Hughes (51m).

According to Ennis, who joined the Canberra coaching staff in 2019, any conversation about the game’s best fullbacks must now include the Kiwi livewire who has helped the Raiders into third spot on the NRL ladder.

“When you look at the best fullbacks in the game this year — James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Kalyn Ponga, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck — Charnze deserves to be in the conversation with them,” Ennis said.

“He came to the Raiders looking for a change and through hard work and determination he’s really taken the game by storm. Charnze has really emerged as one of the feel good stories of this year.”

The Kiwi has become a fan favourite. AAP Image/Craig Golding.

Apart from being the king of kick returns, Nicoll-Klokstad also makes more dummy-half runs than any other fullback in the game, with his 63 efforts ahead of Newcastle utility Connor Watson (58) and Parramatta favourite Clint Gutherson (56).

And when it comes to fullbacks making runs of over eight metres, he also sits second behind reigning Dally M medallist and Warriors skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Elsewhere, the Canberra buy also sits within the top five fullbacks for tries scored, metres made and tackles busted.

Up against the reigning premier Roosters at GIO Stadium this Sunday afternoon, Raiders officials are bracing for a crowd of over 20,000 as the home side looks for its fifth straight win.

Nicoll-Klokstad forms a major part of Canberra’s title charge. Picture by Alix Sweeney.

The match also looms as a genuine showdown between Nicoll-Klokstad and Tedesco, the man now widely regarded as the best player anywhere in rugby league.

Apart from leading NSW to another Origin title this year, the Kangaroo star also tops a range of attacking categories for fullbacks including tries, linebreaks and tackle busts.

Yet bookmakers have found it difficult to separate the two sides, especially given the Raiders now have the second best defensive record in the competition.

Emerging as genuine title contenders over the past month, the Green Machine can now double down in what looms as a tough, yet exciting, run to playoffs against the Roosters, Melbourne, Manly, Cronulla, and finally the Warriors.

Originally published as Rising Canberra fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad ready to take on the best player in the world