16 BIG LEAGUE 2019 Round 20
M
OST 24-year-olds would be content
with getting a gift voucher, some new
clothes or even cash for their birthday.
But when Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad celebrates
his 24th birthday this Friday, he’ll receive the
best present of all – the chance to face his
former club for the first time.
As soon as Nicoll-Klokstad signed with
Raiders, he opened up the diary to see when
they’d clash with the Warriors. Turns out it
was on his birthday.
“I circled it in the calendar the moment
I signed,” says Nicoll-Klokstad, who joined
the Raiders earlier this year after
a lack of opportunities in the NRL
with the Warriors.
“I was like ‘man I really hope I get
to play against the Warriors’. I was
thinking 20 rounds should be enough
to get in the team.”
With a number of family members
and friends watching on, Friday’s
clash at Mt Smart Stadium is set
to be one of the biggest games of
his young career and he can’t wait.
He’s also eager for the opportunity
to go head-to-head with his former
mentor, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
“When I signed with the Raiders,
the first person I went to was
‘Rog’,” he says.
“I said ‘there’s a massive opportunityfor
me at Canberra and I want to leave’. He was
super stoked for me, wishing me the best.
He was really good about it.”
Stuck behind the New Zealand superstar
at the Warriors, Nicoll-Klokstad didn’t get
a chance to prove himself in first grade, but he
did have the chance to learn from ‘RTS’.
“I wouldn’t be the fullback I am without him
[Tuivasa-Sheck]. He’s been such a good mentor
to me and I’m really grateful for him – not just
on the field but off it as well,” he says.One year ago he was languishing in reserve grade and bereft of opportunities. Now,
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is the NRL’s best buy and destinedtocashinonhissuccess.
Greener
pastures
“His professionalism and how he conducts
himself, he’s a true gentleman of rugby
league. If I can be one per cent of what he
is, I’d be happy with that.”
Although he’s excited for the opportunity
to return to Mt Smart, the Raiders fullback
understands he can’t be distracted and
won’t be engaging in any banter with former
team-mates before the match.
“At the end of the day I’m not there for
a holiday. I can’t dwell on what’s happened
or what can happen. We just need to get the
job done, that’s my main focus.”STICKING AROUND
Nicoll-Klokstad is one of the
leading contenders for buy
of the year in 2019 after
a breakout season with
the Green Machine.
Signed until the
end of 2020, the
Raiders fullback
is expected to
receive a giant
contract upgrade
and he’s keen to
stick around for
a while.
“Being here long-term
is definitely on the cards,”
Nicoll-Klokstad declares.
“I’m not sure how close we
are to getting it done – the most I’ve
heard about it is on social media. I hope
we can come to a solution and both parties
can agree to something.”
When Nicoll-Klokstad signed with the
Raiders early this year, he was desperate for
an opportunity in the NRL and money wasn’t
a big factor – but now that he’s proven himself,
he’s attracting interest from rival clubs and
will be able to seek a favourable
upgrade. It’s a stark contrast to
where he was just months ago.
“I haven’t been in this position
before so I’m not too sure how to
look at it,” he says.
“I’m still pinching myself.
I’m always checking the team list
on Tuesdays making sure I’m still
in the team. Just to see my name
there, rubbing shoulders next
to these boys, it’s a blessing and
I’m truly humbled to be here.”
The Cook Islands representative
has even become a cult hero across