Kiwi international Briton Nikora has ended speculation as to his NRL future by committing to a new long-term deal with the Sharks.
Nikora, who has played 76 NRL games for the Sharks since making his top-grade debut back in 2019, this week signed a three-year contract extension, one which will see him remain at the Cronulla club until at least the end of the 2025 season.
“I’m pleased to have been able to get this new contract sorted and am now looking forward to focusing on rest of this season, and to what the next three years might bring,” Nikora said.
“Under Craig and the coaching staff there is a feeling we are building something special here at the Sharks and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Born in Mt Maunganui, New Zealand, Nikora played his junior football on the Gold Coast, before arriving in the Sutherland Shire as a trialist for the NYC under-20’s in 2016.
Nikora became a standout for in the Sharks Holden Cup side in 2017, highlighted by his selection in the competition’s Team of the Year.
In 2018 he trained with the Sharks full-time NRL squad, while playing for the Newtown Jets in the NSW Cup, before earning and then cementing a regular position in Cronulla’s forward pack in 2019.
A proud Maori, the 24-year-old Nikora has also played four matches for New Zealand, his latest appearance coming in their victory over Tonga in the recent Pacific Test Match played in Auckland.
His signing complements the recent announcements around young forwards Tom Hazelton, Jesse Colquhoun and the contract extensions for Braden Hamlin-Uele and Jack Williams. Earlier this year the Sharks also signed Eels prop Oregon Kaufusi as they continue to build a strong forward pack for the years to come.
