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HE’S yet to make his NRL debut but the Roosters’ newest recruit Jayden Nikorima will pick up where Jackson Hastings left off, co-captain Jake Friend reckons.
With Hastings now the club’s first-choice half alongside Mitchell Pearce, the 20-year-old’s utility spot is up for grabs and Nikorima is favourite to claim the role.
A former Brisbane young gun, Nikorima joined the Roosters on a handsome three-year-deal, having been stuck behind Anthony Milford, Ben Hunt and his older brother Kodi at the Broncos.
While he was the Junior Kangaroos and Under-20s Queensland Origin halfback, the stocky playmaker is versatile.
According to Friend, it’s only a matter of time before the teenage makes the utility role his own.
“He’s definitely got the ability,” Friend said, when asked if he will take over Hastings’ utility role.
“He can play anywhere in the backline and the halves. He’d definitely be up there for that sort of position.”
At 25, Friend is one of the club’s most senior members and enjoying a mentoring role to utility hookers Joey Lussick and Nikorima.
“’Nik’ is a skilful player and a bit like Jackson – he can throw anything at any time,” Friend said.
“We’ve got Joey and Ian (Henderson) we’re all working around that dummy half area.”
Having missed the bulk of last year’s pre-season thanks to a shoulder and lung issues, this is Friend’s first full pre-season in quite some time.
With key personnel changes prompting movement in the halves and at fullback, Friend acknowledged the importance of using the off-season to develop the club’s new combinations.
Hastings slots into five-eighth in place of James Maloney, while Blake Ferguson takes over from Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at fullback.
Despite the changes, Friend expects the team to go into 2016 with a similar style of play but minor structural tweaks.
The hooker said that even though Maloney was the older half, co-captain Pearce called the shots and that won’t change this year.
“Mitch was the main half even though Jimmy was there – Mitch ran the show and Jimmy chimed in where he wanted,” Friend said.
“I think that will be a similar role to Jackson. Mitch will probably have to take a bit more of a senior role but he’ll do that and steer us around.”
Having tasted premiership glory with the Roosters in 2013, Noosa junior Friend has a lofty list of goals set out for himself this season.
They range from finally breaking into the representative arena and making his Origin debut for Queensland, to playing finals football and tweaking his attack.
In continuing to develop his attacking game, Friend revealed he has been working on his last-tackle options and acting as another option for his halves.
“Possibly running a bit more this year with the eight interchanges,” he said.
“The kicking is something I’ve been working on a lot over the last few years and I want to continue that.
“I guess it’s a bit of the unknown with the interchange and if that opens the game up a bit.
“The majority of my game will be the same.”
With Hastings now the club’s first-choice half alongside Mitchell Pearce, the 20-year-old’s utility spot is up for grabs and Nikorima is favourite to claim the role.
A former Brisbane young gun, Nikorima joined the Roosters on a handsome three-year-deal, having been stuck behind Anthony Milford, Ben Hunt and his older brother Kodi at the Broncos.
While he was the Junior Kangaroos and Under-20s Queensland Origin halfback, the stocky playmaker is versatile.
According to Friend, it’s only a matter of time before the teenage makes the utility role his own.
“He’s definitely got the ability,” Friend said, when asked if he will take over Hastings’ utility role.
“He can play anywhere in the backline and the halves. He’d definitely be up there for that sort of position.”
At 25, Friend is one of the club’s most senior members and enjoying a mentoring role to utility hookers Joey Lussick and Nikorima.
“’Nik’ is a skilful player and a bit like Jackson – he can throw anything at any time,” Friend said.
“We’ve got Joey and Ian (Henderson) we’re all working around that dummy half area.”
Having missed the bulk of last year’s pre-season thanks to a shoulder and lung issues, this is Friend’s first full pre-season in quite some time.
With key personnel changes prompting movement in the halves and at fullback, Friend acknowledged the importance of using the off-season to develop the club’s new combinations.
Hastings slots into five-eighth in place of James Maloney, while Blake Ferguson takes over from Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at fullback.
Despite the changes, Friend expects the team to go into 2016 with a similar style of play but minor structural tweaks.
The hooker said that even though Maloney was the older half, co-captain Pearce called the shots and that won’t change this year.
“Mitch was the main half even though Jimmy was there – Mitch ran the show and Jimmy chimed in where he wanted,” Friend said.
“I think that will be a similar role to Jackson. Mitch will probably have to take a bit more of a senior role but he’ll do that and steer us around.”
Having tasted premiership glory with the Roosters in 2013, Noosa junior Friend has a lofty list of goals set out for himself this season.
They range from finally breaking into the representative arena and making his Origin debut for Queensland, to playing finals football and tweaking his attack.
In continuing to develop his attacking game, Friend revealed he has been working on his last-tackle options and acting as another option for his halves.
“Possibly running a bit more this year with the eight interchanges,” he said.
“The kicking is something I’ve been working on a lot over the last few years and I want to continue that.
“I guess it’s a bit of the unknown with the interchange and if that opens the game up a bit.
“The majority of my game will be the same.”
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