Nikorima: ‘it’s just about backing it up’

Image above: Dolphins NRL

Dolphins NRL five-eighth Kodi Nikorima says while last round’s historic win over the Melbourne Storm was “one of our better ones”, the side will need to back it up to beat Canberra in Canberra on Sunday.

The side will be without key players Jeremy Marshall-King and Felise Kaufusi but are hoping Max Plath will line up to take on the Raiders.

Jeremy Marshall-King is still out with a leg cut, which became infected, but is expected to return for the game against the Roosters in Magic Round on May 2 along with Felise Kaufusi who has a strained medial ligament in his knee.

Max Plath is a chance to play this weekend after coming from the field with a foot injury in the win over the Storm on Good Friday.

He was training in the club’s gym today.

“Plath has a foot ligament injury, but with some luck and the long turnaround into the game, he could take the field against the Raiders,” Dolphins’ Head of Performance Jeremy Hickmans says.

The Dolphins beat the Melbourne Storm for the first time by a solid 20-point margin (42-22) in their third win in a row after a slow start to the season that drew plenty of criticism.

After the game, Captain Tom Gilbert said players and coaches had believed in the direction they were heading since pre-season and trusted their hard work would pay off.

Nikorima, who had an outstanding game against the Storm alongside halfback Isaiya Katoa, says the feeling in the squad remains the same as it has all season.

“Like Tom said … we’re full of energy here, full of confidence and hopefully we can replicate that this week,” he says.

“It (the win over the Storm) was definitely one of our better ones, especially this year obviously against a quality side too.

“For us, it’s just about backing it up this week. (It’s) obviously a tough ask going down to Canberra … they’re playing some great footy at the moment. We’ve got a very confident side here and full belief in ourselves.”

Teammate Ray Stone, who scored two tries and was tireless in defence, says he feels combinations clicked in the win over the Storm. Nikorima agrees.

“Yeah, that and also just the effort work especially around our middle forwards … he’s one of them, Ray. I thought he made a huge difference coming off the bench – him and Josh Kerr,” he explains.

“I guess it’s just a team game in the end. This a team sport. We just wanted to turn up for each other. We obviously knew that Melbourne were a top-two team … one of the top teams who came off a Grand Final last year and they strike all over the park.

“For us, it was about everyone being on their game and everyone wanting to put in a performance to try to get the win. It was pleasing that we were able to do that.”

So, how will they beat a solid, third-placed Canberra in round eight (Sunday, kick off 2pm).

“I think for us, making sure we get our prep right. This week, we’re going up against a quality side – Canberra in Canberra. I’ve played there a couple of times and they’re always tough to beat down there,” Nikorima says.

“If we can put on another 80-minute performance, we’ll hopefully come away with a result.”

Nikorima will be joined on the field by Francis Molo, who will make his debut for the Dolphins.

“I grew up playing with Frankie … we played together since we were 12 (at Aspley Devils). He brings a lot of aggression which we’ll need in our pack, obviously losing Felise for I’m not too sure how long,” he says.

“He (Molo) gets an opportunity now. I guess for him it’s just about doing his job, running hard, tackling hard … I’ve seen that with Frank since we were 12 years old.”