Latest news with #KodiNikorima
The Advertiser
01-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Dolphins suffer another injury blow to star playmaker
The Dolphins now have eight of their top 30 squad absent with long-term injuries after scans on in-form playmaker Kodi Nikorima's hamstring. Nikorima is predicted to miss six weeks and is due to return in either round 23 or 24 after suffering the injury in the 38th minute of the 50-28 win over South Sydney. The club already has key forwards Max Plath (knee), Tom Gilbert (shoulder), Daniel Saifiti (shoulder) and Thomas Flegler (shoulder) out for the rest of the year. Veteran forward Felise Kaufusi is due back from a medial cruciate ligament (MCL) injury in round 22, as is recent prop signing Sebastian Su'a who joined the club from Newcastle with a lingering knee issue but is yet to play a game. Winger Jack Bostock is also out of action until next year with a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. With the Dolphins having byes this weekend and in round 21 Nikorima, who has been in lethal form, may only miss three or four matches. The Dolphins are in eighth position and will likely need to win four of their remaining eight games to reach the finals if 30 competition points is the cut-off for the top eight. They at least have the advantage of a for-and-against of plus-162 - the second best behind Melbourne. Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf does have options to replace Nikorima ahead of the round 19 away clash with Cronulla on Friday week. Utility Kurt Donoghoe, who played in the halves for Fiji in last year's Pacific Championships, is one possibility. They could also move Jake Averillo from centre to No.6 or bring in natural half Sean O'Sullivan. Donoghoe has been one of the side's best performers in multiple positions but Woolf has rated highly his work at lock and it is likely to come down to either Averillo or O'Sullivan. The loss of Nikorima is a blow. His liaison with Katoa has been instrumental in the Dolphins' surge into the top eight. The duo are recognised as one of the leading pairings in the NRL this year, their creativity and close understanding integral to the side's attacking strength. The Dolphins now have eight of their top 30 squad absent with long-term injuries after scans on in-form playmaker Kodi Nikorima's hamstring. Nikorima is predicted to miss six weeks and is due to return in either round 23 or 24 after suffering the injury in the 38th minute of the 50-28 win over South Sydney. The club already has key forwards Max Plath (knee), Tom Gilbert (shoulder), Daniel Saifiti (shoulder) and Thomas Flegler (shoulder) out for the rest of the year. Veteran forward Felise Kaufusi is due back from a medial cruciate ligament (MCL) injury in round 22, as is recent prop signing Sebastian Su'a who joined the club from Newcastle with a lingering knee issue but is yet to play a game. Winger Jack Bostock is also out of action until next year with a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. With the Dolphins having byes this weekend and in round 21 Nikorima, who has been in lethal form, may only miss three or four matches. The Dolphins are in eighth position and will likely need to win four of their remaining eight games to reach the finals if 30 competition points is the cut-off for the top eight. They at least have the advantage of a for-and-against of plus-162 - the second best behind Melbourne. Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf does have options to replace Nikorima ahead of the round 19 away clash with Cronulla on Friday week. Utility Kurt Donoghoe, who played in the halves for Fiji in last year's Pacific Championships, is one possibility. They could also move Jake Averillo from centre to No.6 or bring in natural half Sean O'Sullivan. Donoghoe has been one of the side's best performers in multiple positions but Woolf has rated highly his work at lock and it is likely to come down to either Averillo or O'Sullivan. The loss of Nikorima is a blow. His liaison with Katoa has been instrumental in the Dolphins' surge into the top eight. The duo are recognised as one of the leading pairings in the NRL this year, their creativity and close understanding integral to the side's attacking strength. The Dolphins now have eight of their top 30 squad absent with long-term injuries after scans on in-form playmaker Kodi Nikorima's hamstring. Nikorima is predicted to miss six weeks and is due to return in either round 23 or 24 after suffering the injury in the 38th minute of the 50-28 win over South Sydney. The club already has key forwards Max Plath (knee), Tom Gilbert (shoulder), Daniel Saifiti (shoulder) and Thomas Flegler (shoulder) out for the rest of the year. Veteran forward Felise Kaufusi is due back from a medial cruciate ligament (MCL) injury in round 22, as is recent prop signing Sebastian Su'a who joined the club from Newcastle with a lingering knee issue but is yet to play a game. Winger Jack Bostock is also out of action until next year with a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. With the Dolphins having byes this weekend and in round 21 Nikorima, who has been in lethal form, may only miss three or four matches. The Dolphins are in eighth position and will likely need to win four of their remaining eight games to reach the finals if 30 competition points is the cut-off for the top eight. They at least have the advantage of a for-and-against of plus-162 - the second best behind Melbourne. Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf does have options to replace Nikorima ahead of the round 19 away clash with Cronulla on Friday week. Utility Kurt Donoghoe, who played in the halves for Fiji in last year's Pacific Championships, is one possibility. They could also move Jake Averillo from centre to No.6 or bring in natural half Sean O'Sullivan. Donoghoe has been one of the side's best performers in multiple positions but Woolf has rated highly his work at lock and it is likely to come down to either Averillo or O'Sullivan. The loss of Nikorima is a blow. His liaison with Katoa has been instrumental in the Dolphins' surge into the top eight. The duo are recognised as one of the leading pairings in the NRL this year, their creativity and close understanding integral to the side's attacking strength.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sam Burgess rejection that could see international superstar sign with NRL club
The Perth Bears' decision to overlook Sam Burgess for the head coaching role could have a domino effect, with his Warrington Wolves captain George Williams being lined up as a potential signing for the Dolphins. Williams previously played halfback for Canberra in the NRL and was a key part of the Raiders' march to the 2020 preliminary final, before leaving the club and returning home to England. The England international still has 12 months left on his contract with Warrington and was tipped to join Burgess at the Bears, if his coach landed the Perth job. But the Bears ultimately appointed former Kangaroos and Maroons coach Mal Meninga, and it's presented the Dolphins with an opportunity to land the Warrington captain. Despite still having one more year left on his current deal, Wolves are resigned to losing Williams at the end of this season. However, they are unlikely to release him without some form of compensation and have reportedly slapped a $400,000 price tag on the 30-year-old's head, with the Dolphins understood to be interested in his services. reports that Warrington were exploring a potential swap deal for Dolphins five-eighth Kodi Nikorima, who also has one year left on his current contract. But the report says Kristian Woolf's Dolphins are keen to hang onto the Kiwi international, who has struck up a deadly halves combination with gun halfback Isaiya Katoa this season. However, the Dolphins' interest in Williams suggests they are looking to add an experienced half to play alongside Katoa next season and help mentor one of the most talented young playmakers in the game. The Dolphins were also in the race to sign Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans, but the veteran No.7 looks all but guaranteed to join the Roosters next year. RELATED: Manly coach responds to ugly rumours around DCE's captaincy Fans divided as Storm lose star to rivals and Eels sign ex-Origin player Blow for Storm and Queensland as star ruled out of Origin 3 The move for Williams does seem a little harsh on Nikorima though, and could mean he'll have to be content with an interchange role at the Dolphins next season. Nikorima has shone in the bench utility role for New Zealand and the Broncos in the past, and his versatility illustrates why Woolf is not willing to part ways with the 31-year-old. Nikorima has six tries and 12 try assists in 14 games for the Dolphins this season and has provided the perfect foil for Katoa, who has already been earmarked as a future Origin star after establishing himself as one of the game's best halfbacks. Katoa is by no means the finished product though and Williams could be the ideal partner to help develop his game and take the 21-year-old to the next level. Williams' Wolves are currently eighth on the English Super League ladder with a 6-9 record from an inconsistent season so far. But the 30-year-old playmaker is expected to captain his nation in the Ashes against Australia at the end of the year as the series returns to England for the first time in 22 years. George Williams to the Dolphins is heating up.▪️ Dolphins in advanced talks to sign him early▪️ Warrington wants $400K or a player swap (Kodi Nikorima linked)▪️ Perth Bears were an option if Sam Burgess got the job▪️ Williams still has 12 months left on his deal▪️ He's… — NRLCentral (@centralNRL) June 26, 2025
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Maroons guns of past help Dolphins spine shine: Katoa
Dolphins star half Isaiya Katoa is a true NSW Blue in waiting, but he has credited video sessions watching one of Queensland's greatest spine combinations for the dazzling attack of his side. The Dolphins have scored a combined 100 points in their past two matches, with a record-breaking 56-6 win over St George Illawarra on Friday night following a 44-8 demolition of competition leaders Canterbury before their bye. "We have a spine meeting where our nine, six, seven and one come together," Katoa said after his man-of-the-match display against the Dragons. "Some of the clips we look at are Cameron Smith, JT (Johnathan Thurston), Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater all connecting (for the Maroons). "The more they connected the more success their team had. We are trying to build that into our own games and still try to play to our individual strengths. It is a work in progress for us." Built on steely defence, the past two Dolphins wins have also featured the creative wares of halves Kodi Nikorima and Katoa at their best. Dazzling fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was on Origin duties for the Canterbury clash, but scored a try double against the Dragons. Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King returned from an extended break with a leg laceration against the Red V. With bench hooker Kurt Donoghoe chiming in to perfection, the Dolphins attack, when on song, is as good as any side in the NRL Centres Herbie Farnworth and Jake Averillo have been in great touch, which is due to Nikorima and Katoa connecting so well together as a duo and not just sitting on their own sides of the field. "We speak about (combining) all week. Over the pre-season we were working really hard at trying to find each other on the field, whether I come over to the left side or Kodi comes over to the right side," Katoa said "The more we can find each other the more we can find guys like Hammer (Tabuai-Fidow), Herbie and Jake on the outside. With the speed and strike they have, you need to keep giving them the footy." Once again it is the old Maroons halves pairing that Katoa has learned so much from. "The two that come to mind are Cooper Cronk and JT, just the way they were always talking to each other, playing both sides of the field and mixing it up at times," Katoa said. "It is something me and Kodi base our game off." The Dolphins are now in seventh position on the ladder and play North Queensland away next Saturday night.
RNZ News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
NRL: Warriors co-captain James Fisher-Harris cops one-game suspension
James Fisher-Harris of the Warriors is called out before being sent to the bin, 2025. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Warriors v Raiders Kick-off: 6:05pm Sunday 25 May Go Media Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland Live blog updates on RNZ Sport The Warriors will be without co-captain James Fisher-Harris for this weekend's NRL game against the Canberra Raiders. The prop has been handed a one-match ban for a careless high tackle . He caught Dolphins front-rower Harrison Graham high in the 77th minute at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday and was sent to the bin. Fisher-Harris had only just returned from injury, which had kept him out of the team for a month. Had he chosen to fight the charge at the judiciary and been found guilty, he would have missed two games. From the same game, Dolphins playmaker Kodi Nikorima was fined $2000 after entering an early guilty plea to a grade 1 careless high tackle charge. The Warriors are second on the NRL table and on a five-game winning streak. They take on the third-placed Raiders on Sunday.
RNZ News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
NRL live updates: Dolphins v Warriors
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak of the Warriors makes a run during the NRL Round 23 match between the Redcliffe Dolphins and New Zealand Warriors at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Sunday, August 11, 2024. Photo: AAP / The Warriors are flying high in second place on the NRL ladder and will being feeling confident of another win against the 12th placed Dolphins. Kick-off is at 5pm NZT. Follow all the action with RNZ's live blog: Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Jake Averillo, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Jack Bostock, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Isaiya Katoa, 8. Francis Molo, 9. Kurt Donoghoe, 10. Felise Kaufusi, 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 12. Tom Gilbert, 13. Ray Stone Interchange: 14. Harrison Graham, 15. Mark Nicholls, 16. Josh Kerr, 17. Connelly Lemuelu Reserves: 18. Sean O'Sullivan, 19. Oryn Keeley, 20. Max Feagai, 21. Kenneath Bromwich, 22. Junior Tupou Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Kurt Capewell, 5. Taine Tuaupiki, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Luke Metcalf, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Mitchell Barnett, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Jacob Laban, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Samuel Healey Reserves: 18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 20. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 21. Tanah Boyd, 22. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 23. Moala Graham-Taufa
