Brisbane's Nikorima takes his half chance

Andrew McCullough's injury threatened to derail Brisbane's NRL season, but instead it is providing Kodi Nikorima with a chance to shine.

Kodi Nikorima.

Kodi Nikorima shone at No.7 for the Broncos, scoring two tries in a 54-0 thrashing of Gold Coast. (AAP)

Brisbane remain undefeated this season with Kodi Nikorima at halfback, a position that now seems permanent given his internal rival Ben Hunt's seamless transition to hooker.

The unusual situation was brought about by the season-ending injury to regular hooker Andrew McCullough last weekend.

While a cruel blow to the Broncos, it has allowed Nikorima, Hunt and five-eighth Anthony Milford to form a lightning-fast combination that was far too slick for the Gold Coast on Saturday night.

The 54-0 flogging, the biggest defeat in the Titans' history, was built on solid early work from Brisbane's forwards.

But after that the Broncos' nimble trio took the Titans to the cleaners.

Nikorima's long-term future at the Broncos is in question, given Gold Coast halfback Ashley Taylor is off contract at the end of 2018 and in Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett's sights.

In and out of the starting side this season and at times criticised for his inability to control the pace of the game, Nikorima did his best to impress Bennett with two tries and some solid defence.

"He's a wonderful player," Bennett said.

"His defence was great and if that's great we'll get the rest right."

"You'd have to think so (that he'll keep getting better); he hasn't played at halfback the last five or six weeks and was a bit rusty, he'll get better every week."

In a surprise move, Sam Thaiday acted as hooker in the opening exchanges on Saturday and Hunt started on the bench, a strategy Bennett indicated he is likely to persist with.


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Source: AAP



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