Official Briton Nikora

[Thresher]

Nikora defending like an NRLer would do the trick.

I don’t dislike him as a player. I just think he was rushed for non-football reasons (Johnson, contract) and would have been better off playing longer for the Jets.

So now he has a future in the top grade?

 

[BurgoShark]

So now he has a future in the top grade?

Never said he doesn’t. Just said he wasn’t ready and should have been playing NSW Cup months ago. Nothing wrong with hitting a few speed bumps and becoming a bona fide first grader at 23. Worked for Wade Graham.

 

[Thresher]

Never said he doesn’t. Just said he wasn’t ready and should have been playing NSW Cup months ago. Nothing wrong with hitting a few speed bumps and becoming a bona fide first grader at 23. Worked for Wade Graham.

Good. You need to cut him a bit of slack.

 

[BurgoShark]

Good. You need to cut him a bit of slack.

I’m tough on the young blokes when they are breaking in to NRL mate, but I pump up the young blokes’ tyres more than anyone when they are in lower grades. For this year Xerri and Brailey were ready to go but IMO Nikora and Flanagan were put in NRL for contract reasons and would have been better off playing another 20 games in NSW Cup.

 

[Western Sharkie]

I’m tough on the young blokes when they are breaking in to NRL mate, but I pump up the young blokes’ tyres more than anyone when they are in lower grades. For this year Xerri and Brailey were ready to go but IMO Nikora and Flanagan were put in NRL for contract reasons and would have been better off playing another 20 games in NSW Cup.

Not disagreeing with you but as per the Flanno situation currently playing out, these young kids are too impatient to play “another 20 games in NSW cup” and all want their chance now or they spit the dummy and look elsewhere for an opportunity.
Nikora would probably have also gone elsewhere had he not been given the opportunity he has this season.
Flanno Jnr’s situation is still to play out but for all “unofficial” accounts, he is gone cos he thought he was ready now, not in “20 more games of NSW Cup”.
We are dammed if we do and dammed if we don’t.

 

[Thresher]

I’m tough on the young blokes when they are breaking in to NRL mate, but I pump up the young blokes’ tyres more than anyone when they are in lower grades. For this year Xerri and Brailey were ready to go but IMO Nikora and Flanagan were put in NRL for contract reasons and would have been better off playing another 20 games in NSW Cup.

Is that speculation or from inside sources?

When Matty Rogers debuted on the wing his defence was nowhere near top grade standard. His coach made sure that he had one of the best defensive centres in Ettingshausen covering for him though, and this proved to be a good ploy because his attack was well and truly worth it.

Nikora in open space is a sight to behold and IMO he is an absolute weapon in attack. Perhaps his coach doesn't think it's too early at all. If he's only playing firsts because we wanted to extend his contract then why is he still playing firsts after his contract has been extended?

 

[Mark^Bastard]

Is that speculation or from inside sources?

When Matty Rogers debuted on the wing his defence was nowhere near top grade standard. His coach made sure that he had one of the best defensive centres in Ettingshausen covering for him though, and this proved to be a good ploy because his attack was well and truly worth it.

Nikora in open space is a sight to behold and IMO he is an absolute weapon in attack. Perhaps his coach doesn't think it's too early at all. If he's only playing firsts because we wanted to extend his contract then why is he still playing firsts after his contract has been extended?

This coach doesn't seem to have a lot of respect for defence and structure.

 

[Sparkles]

Is that speculation or from inside sources?

When Matty Rogers debuted on the wing his defence was nowhere near top grade standard. His coach made sure that he had one of the best defensive centres in Ettingshausen covering for him though, and this proved to be a good ploy because his attack was well and truly worth it.

Nikora in open space is a sight to behold and IMO he is an absolute weapon in attack. Perhaps his coach doesn't think it's too early at all. If he's only playing firsts because we wanted to extend his contract then why is he still playing firsts after his contract has been extended?

I kind of agree. But only because I think Nikora is overworked and could use the drop in intensity for a spell. Poor bugger has been the go-to man for most of the season.

 

[Capital_Shark]

If Bryce Cartwright can improve from the point the media were actively laughing at his defence week after week there is hope for Nikora

His D hasn't improved, Ennis just stopped calling it out.

 

[Thresher]

If Colin Best can become a good defender after his humble, shirt-snatching, beginnings then anyone can.

 

[bort]

His D hasn't improved, Ennis just stopped calling it out.

I think it’s improved somewhat. Have only seen him play a few times though and it was passable in those games. Previously he was an absolute liability well worse than Nikora/Capes have been for us

 

[Capital_Shark]

I think it’s improved somewhat. Have only seen him play a few times though and it was passable in those games. Previously he was an absolute liability well worse than Nikora/Capes have been for us

Check out his early err.. "effort" on Croft. Was in grabbing distance and Carty didn't even throw an arm out. He's got 20kg and 5" height on Croft and it was Storm's first crack inside the 20 so it wasn't fear of contact or fatigue. He didn't even look like he registered he'd ****ed up.

 

[bort]

Didn’t see it but I’ll take you guys word for it... bad example maybe haha

 

[sharks for life]

I’m tough on the young blokes when they are breaking in to NRL mate, but I pump up the young blokes’ tyres more than anyone when they are in lower grades. For this year Xerri and Brailey were ready to go but IMO Nikora and Flanagan were put in NRL for contract reasons and would have been better off playing another 20 games in NSW Cup.

I'm with you. Nikora is exciting but at stages looks tired I think it's just him in his rookie season I hope.

 

[kiwishark]

Will be awesome after a full season and then another full of season.

 

[andrew's_sharks]

It's been interesting reading through people's comments. I disagree with a lot. I think Nikora has played outstanding this year. Personally I think a couple of his missed tackles are only a symptom of much larger problems. Edges typically leak points when other areas aren't working as they become the focus of oppositions attack with good field position.

For me this year our kick returns have been pathetic, particularly from our fullback. Poor kick returns makes your forwards tired as they need to cover more ground with fatigue reducing their impact .

Our unforced errors and penalties are also killing us. Making the team have to work too hard in defence.

Our middle forwards have also been poor at getting us out of our own end this year. (fatigue due to the above reasons are past of the problem) but in general. Prior, fifita, woods and boogie have all not provided enough go forward and have also not moved up well in defence.

 

[andrew's_sharks]

Add a fullback who provides excellent kick return meters who is safe under the high ball and a lot of our problems go away.

 

[Capital_Shark]

It's been interesting reading through people's comments. I disagree with a lot. I think Nikora has played outstanding this year. Personally I think a couple of his missed tackles are only a symptom of much larger problems. Edges typically leak points when other areas aren't working as they become the focus of oppositions attack with good field position.

For me this year our kick returns have been pathetic, particularly from our fullback. Poor kick returns makes your forwards tired as they need to cover more ground with fatigue reducing their impact .

Our unforced errors and penalties are also killing us. Making the team have to work too hard in defence.

Our middle forwards have also been poor at getting us out of our own end this year. (fatigue due to the above reasons are past of the problem) but in general. Prior, fifita, woods and boogie have all not provided enough go forward and have also not moved up well in defence.

:cheers

 

[BurgoShark]

Not disagreeing with you but as per the Flanno situation currently playing out, these young kids are too impatient to play “another 20 games in NSW cup” and all want their chance now or they spit the dummy and look elsewhere for an opportunity.
Nikora would probably have also gone elsewhere had he not been given the opportunity he has this season.
Flanno Jnr’s situation is still to play out but for all “unofficial” accounts, he is gone cos he thought he was ready now, not in “20 more games of NSW Cup”.
We are dammed if we do and dammed if we don’t.

This is exactly what I'm saying. Both should have played some first grade this year but neither was ready to be a full time NRL player. Once the managers get involved though it's not just about picking the best 17 to win a game.

Is that speculation or from inside sources?

Just me speculating. It's pretty common for clubs to play hyped young players before they are ready because the manager threatens to look around.

When Matty Rogers debuted on the wing his defence was nowhere near top grade standard. His coach made sure that he had one of the best defensive centres in Ettingshausen covering for him though, and this proved to be a good ploy because his attack was well and truly worth it.

That's pretty much the way it works with outside backs. ET, Ramien, Best, Val and others were all terrible defenders for their first dozen games (or more). For outside backs you give them a little bit more rope than guys playing closer to the ball because it's moreso about making reads than making tackles.

Nikora in open space is a sight to behold and IMO he is an absolute weapon in attack. Perhaps his coach doesn't think it's too early at all. If he's only playing firsts because we wanted to extend his contract then why is he still playing firsts after his contract has been extended?

I think he was given the opportunity to play in Wade's absence partly because he played well in the trials and partly because they wanted to get him re-signed. He won the spot by playing very well in the first 3 games or so and earned himself another dozen games (deservedly). What he has shown in that next dozen games is that his defence is currently inadequate. As for why he is still in first grade, maybe Morris is happy to live with the pain, but the team having 3 other back rowers unavailable is certainly a factor (Wade, Bukuya, Capewell playing centre).

The biggest concern on Nikora is that he is missing regulation tackles inside the 20. He's had a few bad reads, which is expected and forgivable for any young player (Wade had some absolute shockers early on), but blokes are going through him like he's not even there. That's an issue that can't be fixed by "learning the game" and it certainly isn't going to help him that he is playing next to Shaun Johnson. I view him the same as Williams right now: he's one of our best 20 players and should be playing NRL regularly but is playing more minutes than he should be, and it's hurting the team.

 

[HaroldBishop]

It's been interesting reading through people's comments. I disagree with a lot. I think Nikora has played outstanding this year. Personally I think a couple of his missed tackles are only a symptom of much larger problems. Edges typically leak points when other areas aren't working as they become the focus of oppositions attack with good field position.

For me this year our kick returns have been pathetic, particularly from our fullback. Poor kick returns makes your forwards tired as they need to cover more ground with fatigue reducing their impact .

Our unforced errors and penalties are also killing us. Making the team have to work too hard in defence.

Our middle forwards have also been poor at getting us out of our own end this year. (fatigue due to the above reasons are past of the problem) but in general. Prior, fifita, woods and boogie have all not provided enough go forward and have also not moved up well in defence.

Yeah gone are the days of Val, Feki and Leutele punching out great metres on kick returns. Shame.