Familiarity breeds contentment for Kodi and the kid Katoa

Kodi Nikorima might be heading into his 14th NRL season while his Dolphins halves partner Isaiya Katoa enters his fourth, but he doesn’t view it as a case of ‘the master and the apprentice’. 

The 31-year-old veteran of 222 NRL games from four clubs (Broncos, Warriors, Rabbitohs and Dolphins) has been the No.6 to Katoa’s No.7 for pretty much all of the 22-year-old’s 68 NRL matches.

"I don’t really see it in those terms to be honest,” Nikorima told NRL.com after the suggestion of the teacher-student relationship with Katoa.  

“He’s his own man and he’s taken on the leadership role a lot earlier than most halfbacks do. 

“That goes to show the kind of player he wants to be and strives to be. 

“When I look at our combination people forget it started back in the pre-season of 2023 (Dolphins inaugural season) so we’ve spent a lot of time together.” 

Familiarity breeds contentment in this case. It also produces points as Katoa-Nikorima had 42 try assists and 39 line break assists between them in 2025. 

Nikorima has no hesitation in crediting his young partner with improving his own game.  

“I’ve said it before how he likes to play nice and direct. That allows me to do what I do,” Nikorima said. 

“He creates a lot around the ruck, which sucks in defenders, and that helps me too. I love playing off the back of him in executing my role. 

“I think we’re the best when we’re actually under fatigue because we know each other’s games so we don’t really need to talk – we fall back into old habits.” 

The freshness Katoa has brought to the field has other side effects.

It has added to the motivation surrounding Nikorima as he prepares to put his 82kg body on the line for a 14th straight season. 

“A finals berth – that’s definitely up there,” he said. “We’re going into our fourth season so that’s a big motivation now – to play finals footy. I’m striving for that this year. We all are.” 

Signs were good after the Dolphin came from 34-20 down against the Warriors in the last Witzer Pre-Season Challenge trial to score three tries in the final six minutes for a 38-34 win. 

“Our young ones today got an opportunity to show they can handle first grade. It’s a long season ahead and you find teams that do well, have depth,” Nikorima said. 

It was also a chance for new recruits Selwyn Cobbo, Morgan Knowles and Brad Schneider to strut their stuff. 

“Cobbo has been great. And he’s so handy – I’m glad he’s been hanging on my edge and having him with Herbie (Farnworth) out there, it’s a great combo for us," Nikorima said.

“In the middle Morgan is the same. He’s tough and will help us out in the forwards and then you’ve got Brad (Schneider) who play anywhere as a pretty good utility role.” 

Cobbo and Farnworth on the Dolphins left edge reunites the pair from the Broncos 2023 grand final team.

And Round 1 in 2026 brings the Dolphins players up against former coach Wayne Bennett back at South Sydney. 

“I’m always excited to the Rabbitohs, especially now we’re going up against our old coach and it’s my old team with a lot of good mates,” Nikorima said. 

“Wayne will have them firing.”