Official Briton Nikora

[Proud Shark]

Shows you how deep Nikora stands back not wanting to go after the ball. That’s pretty much where you find mists sets when we have the ball

Yeah no arguments he can get more involved/do more work. I wonder how much is effort and how much is direction.

 

[Milkshark]

Yeah that's my thoughts also but I haven't tried to specifically crunch his efforts.
If I watched him carefully for a full game would I find enough efforts by him to be in position to take a run my opinion would go up?
Maybe, although my suspicion is no.

It is hard to notice (especially first watch) who is making efforts off the ball and who isn't.
If your watching him and seeing him lagging behind when he should be pushing up as a legit run option that is even more disappointing because sounds like he's not even making himself available for work he should be doing.
If he was a legit option half a dozen times and we just didn't use him that would be a different story.

If you were to watch a game specifically watching Nikora you would notice he does not make an effort to push up and get the ball. He is happy to let anybody else around him take the ball before he does.

The screenshot above, yes Hynes is there. But if Nikora wanted the ball, he pushes up and gets it. Brailey looked to him for a run, but Nikora was not wanting it.

I’m not trying to pick on Nikora. But a couple of years ago I mentioned Nikora not getting involved and that he would sit off SJ’s hip. He is still doing it but now doesn’t have SJ feeding him the ball so he tends to just not take runs. Or go looking to take a run.

 

[BurgoShark]

If you were to watch a game specifically watching Nikora you would notice he does not make an effort to push up and get the ball. He is happy to let anybody else around him take the ball before he does.

The screenshot above, yes Hynes is there. But if Nikora wanted the ball, he pushes up and gets it. Brailey looked to him for a run, but Nikora was not wanting it.

I’m not trying to pick on Nikora. But a couple of years ago I mentioned Nikora not getting involved and that he would sit off SJ’s hip. He is still doing it but now doesn’t have SJ feeding him the ball so he tends to just not take runs. Or go looking to take a run.

I reckon a lot of the time he’s setting up for the next play. He’s a dangerous line runner, and remember that running lines doesn’t just mean “running lines and getting the ball”. He runs a millions decoys too, and a lot of those times WK and others see space it is from a well run Nikora line where he was used as a decoy.

It’s important to note too that he’s never actually “running a decoy”. He’s running a line and expecting the ball. The passer just chooses to not use him.

I think he is a liability in defence, but I have no issue at all with him in attack.

 

[bort]

I think he could clean up his defence a bit and I think he could make himself available for a few more tough runs. I would have to really watch him to assess if he is shirking work as much as I feel like he is.

He makes a good volume of tackle and plays his part in back line plays well.

(Consistently) Swap a bad missed tackle or two a game for hit ups and I will become a fan again.

 

[Milkshark]

I reckon a lot of the time he’s setting up for the next play. He’s a dangerous line runner, and remember that running lines doesn’t just mean “running lines and getting the ball”. He runs a millions decoys too, and a lot of those times WK and others see space it is from a well run Nikora line where he was used as a decoy.

It’s important to note too that he’s never actually “running a decoy”. He’s running a line and expecting the ball. The passer just chooses to not use him.

I think he is a liability in defence, but I have no issue at all with him in attack.

Good info mate. In defence he does tend to rush out of the line and leaves holes. That’s what happened in the 2nd half when Hynes was beat.

His defence other than that, I think is solid. But happy to see another persons point of view.

I will mention that we do for whatever reason play on the left side of field nearly all game. With that in mind, Nikora being the line runner he is, is very limited.

Still I’d like to see eagerness from him to get the ball.

 

[Milkshark]

I think he could clean up his defence a bit and I think he could make himself available for a few more tough runs. I would have to really watch him to assess if he is shirking work as much as I feel like he is.

He makes a good volume of tackle and plays his part in back line plays well.

(Consistently) Swap a bad missed tackle or two a game for hit ups and I will become a fan again.

If you have time, just watch the first half like I did.

 

[Sir Chadley]

I think Nikora can tackle well, seen him do quite a few one on one ball and all tackles that were pretty effective.

But I think Burgo means his reads in defence, is that right mate?

 

[Milkshark]

I think Nikora can tackle well, seen him do quite a few one on one ball and all tackles that were pretty effective.

Yep I agree

 

[Wiz]

Shows you how deep Nikora stands back not wanting to go after the ball. That’s pretty much where you find him most sets when we have the ball

Perfectly understand where you’re coming from you don’t have to be a genius to understand the context of what you’re trying to say. You’d have a better time trying to explain it to 10 year olds

 

[BurgoShark]

I think Nikora can tackle well, seen him do quite a few one on one ball and all tackles that were pretty effective.

But I think Burgo means his reads in defence, is that right mate?

It’s a combination. Sometimes he makes some brutal reads, but he also had some awful misses (check out round 5, 2019), and some really lazy plays where he stops moving once the ball goes past him. See the Raiders winning try round 1, and the Cleary “reverse” pass in the 48-0 flogging last year. If he keeps moving his feet he saves both tries easily.

If you want a highlights package of all of the bad things he does, watch the condensed game for round 25 last season vs the Storm.

 

[Sir Chadley]

It’s a combination. Sometimes he makes some brutal reads, but he also had some awful misses (check out round 5, 2019), and some really lazy plays where he stops moving once the ball goes past him. See the Raiders winning try round 1, and the Cleary “reverse” pass in the 48-0 flogging last year. If he keeps moving his feet he saves both tries easily.

If you want a highlights package of all of the bad things he does, watch the condensed game for round 25 last season vs the Storm.

Thanks mate, I'll watch that later on tonight.

 

[bort]

Thanks mate, I'll watch that later on tonight.

Let us know your thoughts on it then

 

[apezza]

Thanks mate, I'll watch that later on tonight.

I've borrowed the Best of Chad Townsend highlights from Wizard so won't get to watch tonight.

 

[Wiz]

I've borrowed the Best of Chad Townsend highlights from Wizard so won't get to watch tonight.

Sorry mate tried my best to fill out a whole 2 minutes

 

[Gards]

is no one going to mention the slow play the ball from Tolman? it's like he is not even moving

 

[Milkshark]

is no one going to mention the slow play the ball from Tolman? it's like he is not even moving

Yeah pretty slow play the ball in a fast paced game.

 

[Sparkles]

Watching the replay and watching Nikora. His first run was after 17 minutes. In comparison Dale had 5 runs in the first 10 minutes.

No wonder with that Dale bloke hogging all the tough carries!

 

[MMsharks]

briton is looking on and taking notes.
he is striving for a tigers contract (geezus why would you want to go there boy??)

 

[apezza]

Sorry mate tried my best to fill out a whole 2 minutes

Story of my life!

 

[bort]

Tigers could nab Sharks lock

Long-suffering Tigers fans could use some good news right now - and I have some.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote that the club was interested in signing talented Sharks lock Briton Nikora.

The Sharks want to keep the Kiwi Test forward - and several other clubs are also keen on the 24-year-old.

But in an encouraging sign for the Tigers, one of my spies spotted Nikora sharing a quiet coffee with under-siege Tigers coach Michael Maguire last week.

It's not quite over the line just yet - but the Tigers at this stage are the favourites to sign the long-striding back-rower.

Nice analysis Mole