Origin lessons driving Nikora's premiership quest
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Cronulla forward Briton Nikora has vowed to draw on the experience of a maiden Origin series as he looks to lead the Sharks back to the NRL finals.
The back rower made his Queensland debut in the interstate contest and impressed for the Maroons despite their loss to NSW in a tense Suncorp Stadium decider.
Nikora was handed a rest by Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon before returning for last week's tight win over the Knights. He will line up in the back-row for Sunday's clash with Manly at 4 Pines Park as the Sharks look to solidify their place in the top four.
Briton Nikora Try
Cronulla have progressed to the preliminary final in the past two seasons but have fallen short of a grand final berth and this season looms as the current squad's best chance to win a title before a host of players depart.
Having had a taste of the Origin furnace, Nikora is eager to draw on that experience throughout the upcoming finals series.
"It's exciting to be back with the Sharks after that experience," Nikora told NRL.com. "There's a lot there that I can draw upon leading into the finals. The atmosphere, the games, the intensity of the play.
"It's not just the physical side but mentally preparing myself for those games, it takes a lot to mentally prepare and there is a lot throughout the week leading into the game.
"I'll take those physical lessons and all the mental lessons with me if I play in those big games with the Sharks."
Match: Sea Eagles v Sharks
Round 21 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
9th Position
away Team
Sharks
4th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
A mainstay in the Kiwis forward pack for the past few years, Nikora's Queensland debut came after eligibility rules were changed earlier this year to allow New Zealand and England players to contest State of Origin.
The forward was 10 when his family moved from New Zealand to the Gold Coast and playing for the Maroons quickly developed into a childhood goal.
Maroons v Blues - Game III, 2026
After coming off the bench in Game One, the back-rower started in the second and third matches and was among the Maroons' best throughout the series.
While Queensland ultimately lost in the decider, Nikora said there were plenty of lessons learned from coach Billy Slater and his teammates that will hold him in good stead moving forward.
"It was a dream come true," Nikora said. "I never thought I'd see the day and I was so grateful for the opportunity that Billy gave me and the faith Billy and the coaching staff had in me to put that jersey on. I don't take it lightly and it was an honour to do it.
"I learned a lot off Billy and the coaching staff. The detail he shows with his coaching and the focus on the little effort areas. That's what I'm trying to bring back to the Sharks. I want to come back a better player than I was, I want to lift my game and do what I've got to do for the team."
Nikora was one of three Sharks to feature in the Origin series, with Blayke Brailey and Addin Fonua-Blake playing a key role in the Blues' victory.
Fonua-Blake has brushed off a pec concern to be named for this week's clash with the Sea Eagles, while Brailey has hit the ground running since returning from a broken arm midway through the campaign.
Sharks v Knights - Round 20, 2026
The trio are set to play a key role in Cronulla's run to the finals, with history suggesting Origin experience is a key indicator of premiership success.
It's an area the club has been lacking in recent years and coach Craig Fitzgibbon can already see the impact upon the group's return to the Shire.
"I really respect the way Addin, Blayke and Brit have come back and shown how much the club means to them, of wanting to play and play well," Fitzgibbon said.
