‘I want to stay here’: Dolphin makes call on future as star races the clock

Kodi Nikorima has secured his NRL future, signing on to remain at the Dolphins for the next two seasons.

Thriving after earning the chance to claim the five-eighth jersey, after playing in the utility role he has taken on for much of his career, the veteran’s retention to the end of 2026 solidifies the club’s play-making spine to build around.

The 30-year-old was the final piece of that puzzle, after the extension of fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (to 2027), halfback Isaiya Katoa (2028) and hooker Jeremy Marshall-King (2028).

Nikorima’s career-best form – he sits 10th in the competition for try assists (15) and second for linebreak assists (20) – has coincided with his most consistent stint in one position, casting his days as “Mr Fix It” behind him.

And he is adamant this will not be his final contract.

“You know that saying, ‘happy wife, happy life’? I’m living it right now,” Nikorima said.

“I am hoping I have a lot more years left in me, but if you ask my wife she’d probably say this will be it. But I want to prove her wrong. Obviously, I want to stay here.

“It is definitely exciting for the club as a whole. We have young players around me like Hammer and Isaiya and obviously JMK who has been one of our most consistent players.

“Looking at my game, they are just going to help me. The more games they play, hopefully it will get easier for me.”

Now with his future locked in, Nikorima has turned his attention to the present mission: guiding the Dolphins to a maiden finals campaign.

Desperately clinging to eighth spot on points differential, Wayne Bennett’s men face a daunting path to September, with this week’s clash against the Bulldogs followed by battles with the Storm and Broncos.

At least two of those contests will be without Marshall-King, who is expected to return from foot fractures against Brisbane.

To navigate this passage, the Dolphins will need to overturn a worrying second-half trend that has triggered a slip from the cusp of the top four to the verge of missing the finals.

A two-point Golden Point field goal by Sean O’Sullivan saved the side’s blushes on Sunday against New Zealand, after squandering a 14-point halftime lead.

It is the same margin they held in losses to Penrith and the Gold Coast, while they have also gone down by a converted try or less to the Roosters, Raiders, Warriors, Storm and Knights.

“For most of the year we’ve spoken about our second halves. We’ve been in that position before and fell away and lost, so obviously being on the other end and being able to win the game gives us a lot of belief,” Nikorima said.

“[The Warriors] scored 32 points, but there are a lot of positives to take out of it, especially with our defence. They did get a couple of tries off kicks too so it’s saying we’re thereabouts, but we’re just not there.”