Goal to be 'one of the best halves pairings'

Dolphins NRL five-eighth Kodi Nikorima is excited by the opportunities a formidable forward pack will create for him and halves partner Isaiya Katoa, and the entire squad, as they lay the foundations for a 2026 campaign with finals footy in sharp focus.

Nikorima was among the group slogging it out at preseason training this morning at Norths Devils’ home ground. The side is training there while its fields at Redcliffe are refurbished.

He says, at this point in the preseason, the focus is on getting fit.

“That’s what preseason’s about really, staying nice and fit, getting strong, and putting in the little details in place that we want to (be there) come round one,” Nikorima explains.

“We want to continue to build on what we built the last couple of years. There’s a strong squad that we’ve got here and there’s going to be some competition up for grabs in the squad for spots.

“Obviously we’ve only got the young ones in so far. We’re starting to float through some of the senior players ... we’ll get more back in this week and everyone will be back in next week. It’s obviously good to see the old faces around and some new faces too.”

Among those new faces was former Bronco and Dolphins’ new recruit Selwyn Cobbo who watched today’s session.

“It was good to see Selwyn come out today. He didn’t have to ... he’s not due back in until next week but he’s looking nice and fit. I can’t wait to get him in amongst the training,” Nikorima says.

“He’s a freak of nature, Selwyn. He’s one of those players you give them the ball and they can do something with it. I’m glad he’s in our team now. We have someone like Hammer, Herbie and then you throw in a Selwyn Cobbo ... there’s going to be strike all over the park.”

Flegler inspires

Nikorima’s also pleased to see Tom Flegler back into full-contact training, with an eye on being fit for round one, after battling a shoulder nerve injury since round five of the 2024 season.

“It’s so awesome. Obviously, he had a bit of doubt over whether or not he was going to come back. I think he’s got the green light,” he says.

“He brings so much experience ... he’s one of our senior forwards here, so he’s leading the way for sure.

“For him personally, I reckon it will make him stronger ... going through the setbacks that he did... I think there was a period there where there was talk of potential retirement ... so for him to come through that just goes to show the mental toughness that he has.

“That’s only going to help the rest of the playing group, especially the younger ones ... looking at Fleggy as someone they can aspire to hopefully be like one day.”

Flegler will take his place up front with Daniel Saifiti, Tom Gilbert and Francis Molo – a formidable pack for any opposing team.

“For myself, it creates excitement knowing I can play off the back of those forwards that we dearly missed last year ... and just fell short (of finals). Maybe if we had one or two of them last year, things could have been different but that is what it is,” Nikorima says.

“We’re moving forward now, and I just hope they can all come back injury-free and get through the season.”

Driven to improve

Nikorima believes there is growth in his game, even in his 13^th preseason.

“One of the key things I want to work on this preseason is my fitness levels and building on what I did last year. I’ve got some more growth in my attack and will continue to work on my defence too,” he explains.

“Although I am happy with how I performed last year, I still believe I can hopefully go to another level next year.”

And there’s potential for growth in his halves partnership with Isaiya Katoa.

“We want to be one of the best halves pairings in the game and that starts out here on the training paddock,” Nikorima says.

“He’ll check back into preseason at the end of this week, then we’ll catch up sometime next week about what we want to do moving forward. I can’t wait to get his ear back.”