Jayden Nikorima


Jayden Nikorima is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who plays as a and for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup.

Background

Nikorima was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand. He is of Māori and Irish descent.
His older brother Kodi Nikorima is also a professional rugby league footballer, playing for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL.
Nikorima moved to Brisbane, Australia as a 10-year old and played his junior football for the Aspley Devils before being signed by the Brisbane Broncos. Nikorima was educated at Wavell State High School. In 2013, Nikorima played for the Queensland Under-18s and the Australian Schoolboys representative teams respectively.

Playing career

Early career

In 2014 and 2015, Nikorima played for the Brisbane Broncos Holden Cup team. On 28 April 2014, Nikorima was named as 18th man for the Queensland Under-20s team. On 5 October 2014, Nikorima played for the Broncos in their 2014 Holden Cup Grand Final against the New Zealand Warriors, playing off the interchange bench, scoring a try and kicking 2 goals in the 34-32 loss. On 2 May 2015, Nikorima played for the Junior Kangaroos against the Junior Kiwis, playing off the interchange bench in the 22-20 win at Cbus Super Stadium. On 8 July 2015, Nikorima represented the Queensland Under-20s team, playing at five-eighth in the 32-16 loss to the New South Wales under-20s team at Suncorp Stadium. On 25 August 2015, it was announced that Nikorima had signed with the Sydney Roosters on a 3-year deal starting from 2016, after months of speculation as to which club Nikorima would end up at. On 14 September 2015, Nikorima was named on the interchange bench in the 2015 Holden Cup Team of the Year.

2016

On 6 January, Nikorima was selected in the QAS under-20s Origin squad. Nikorima made his first team debut for the Sydney Roosters in the World Club Series against match St. Helens. In Round 1 of the 2016 NRL season, Nikorima made his NRL debut against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, playing at five-eighth in the Roosters 42-10 loss at the Sydney Football Stadium. In Round 2 against the Canberra Raiders, Nikorima scored his first NRL career try in the Roosters 21-20 loss at Canberra Stadium.

2017

In the 2017 season, he spent most of his time with Sydney Roosters feeder club, Wyong Roos. In December 2017 Nikorima failed a second drug test and was sacked by the Sydney Roosters.

2018

He has since signed with Brisbane Broncos feeder club, Redcliffe Dolphins.