Jayden Nikorima is facing a fight to save his NRL career after being sacked by the Sydney Roosters following a 12-match suspension for a second drugs breach.
A NRL spokesman said the 21-year-old playmaker had been suspended and would have to sit out the first 12 rounds of season 2018 if he wanted to play again.
The Roosters confirmed Nikorima had been sacked from the final year of his contract, reported to be worth $400,000.
The former Brisbane under-20s players made just seven appearances for the Roosters, all of them in 2016.
He started last year as their first-choice five-eighth and played in the World Club Series win over St Helens but was soon dropped to reserve grade.
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Nikorima, the brother of New Zealand and Broncos half Kodi, was reportedly shopped around to rival clubs but failed to attract interest.
His future remains up in the air and his suspension will bring down his price even further.
