Nikorima: Seibold will help Broncos halves thrive

Kodi Nikorima is confident Anthony Seibold will help unlock the best in his halfback play after clearing the air about his playing future with the new Broncos coach.

The Kiwi halfback has returned to Brisbane training after playing four Tests for New Zealand against Australia and England.

In December there were reports that Seibold and the Broncos were looking to offload the 24-year-old The Brisbane coach emphatically told NRL.com that was not the case and that Nikorima was pivotal to his plans.

Nikorima, on contract at Brisbane until the end of 2020, said he had met with Seibold to also get clarification when the rumours were circulating.

"I came in last year so I could meet Seibs in person. With all that stuff that came out I felt the need to, and likewise he got in contact with me as well," Nikorima said.

"It was good to get that out of the way… and knowing where I stood in the team.

"He was all positive and said to enjoy my break and to be ready to go come January.

"I really like Seibs. I like what he brings. It is obviously different to Wayne [Bennett] but he seems as though he spends a lot of time with the halves and that can only benefit my game going forward."

Nikorima and halves partner Anthony Milford played their first full season together last year. The combination flourished in the latter half of the year and Nikorima believes Seibold, who had Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker firing at Souths Sydney in 2018, will only enhance his liaison with Milford.

"He's been tremendous for me so far. He's come in and laid down what he wanted from myself and Milf and asked us what we want as well," Nikorima said.

"It is still early days with Seibs but I am getting comfortable with the plays he wants, and also the calls, so it is just about putting all this work into [operation in] round one so we can hopefully be ready and firing.

"It took us a while to get our combo going [in 2018]. We had a slow start, and that was as a team as a whole, but I thought the last couple of rounds me and Milf really connected well together. If we can do that then hopefully it is exciting times ahead for us."

Nikorima credits New Zealand coach Michael Maguire with bringing out the best in his leadership qualities and has already got the sense from Seibold that he is a halves specialist when it comes to his coaching.

"Madge instilled that leadership into me and made me feel like it was my team and wanted me  to control most of the stuff. Even in team meetings he wanted me to talk," Nikorima said.

"They remind me a lot of each other, Madge and Seibs. They like talking to the halves, and putting that leadership into me hopefully can help me out here at the Broncs."

Nikorima has his sights on making his first appearance in 2019 in Melbourne on February 15 for the Maori All Stars.

"The All Stars game is coming up and I want to play in that," he said.

"I'm glad they've changed it to the Maori v Indigenous. I think you'll see more passion in both sides so hopefully I can make that team and do my heritage proud."