Latest news with #Nicoll-Klokstad
RNZ News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad rejects offshore options to re-sign with NZ Warriors
Warriors v Knights Kickoff: 8pm Friday, 25 April Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch Live blog updates on RNZ Sport NZ Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad admits the thought of himself in another club's jersey "freaked me out". Widely rumoured to be heading offshore at the end of this season , Nicoll-Klokstad has instead inked a two-year extension to his current contract, staying at Mt Smart at least until the end of the 2027 campaign. Last month, he celebrated his 50th game for the Auckland-based NRL club , taking a circuitous route, after debuting in 2017, but spending four years at Canberra Raiders, before returning to where it all began. The prospect of him leaving again, reportedly to the English Super League, didn't feel right to Warriors fans nor to Nicoll-Klokstad himself, as it turned out. "There were options," he admitted. "There were crossroads that we had to navigate our way through and that's just a part of the business side of rugby league unfortunately. "It was hard being at those crossroads and potentially seeing yourself in a different jersey didn't sit right. Thinking about it freaked me out a little bit, so I'm glad we were able to come to a conclusion and put all that stuff behind us." Nicoll-Klokstad spoke of the weight on his shoulders, as he came to work each day, trying not to let contract negotiations interfere with onfield business. "I knew I had to come in with a smile on my face, perform - which is the most important thing - and put my best foot forward." Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will be at Mt Smart at least another two years. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ He also credited coach Andrew Webster for rekindling his career. "I love being at this club and I love being coached under Webby," he said. "I feel like I've played my best foot under Webby and I've enjoyed my footy, since returning to the Warriors. "I still see myself as a fullback and I'm excited for everything the club's got going forward. There's a real young crop of talent coming through and I'm excited to be there, when they get the opportunity to show what they can do. "I'm moving on to a bit of an old age now, it's an exciting part of my career and I'm glad to be here with the Warriors." Webster has shown incredible loyalty to Nicoll-Klokstad, who faces competition from former Dally M Medal winner Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and up-and-comer Taine Tuaupiki for the No.1 jersey. When Nicoll-Klokstad sat out against Brisbane Broncos last week with concussion, Tuaupiki moved off the wing and reminded everyone of his ability in his natural position, yet the incumbent is back to face Newcastle Knights on Friday. "He [Webster] always does and always has shown that faith," he said. "Ever since I signed with the club, he wasn't even at the club at the time, but he was calling me and wishing me luck on the World Cup tour, telling me how excited he was for me to be at the club while he's there and being my coach. "He's shown that faith throughout the whole journey, the whole three years and he's still showing it. He backs everything I do and that's something I need to do for myself - back my game, back what I can do as a fullback and what I bring to the squad. "With respect to those boys, I think they're really good fullbacks and for Webby to show that faith in me means a lot." Nicoll-Klokstad insisted he sought no assurances from Webster over the security of his jersey before re-signing. "The thing I find with Charnze is we're on the same page so much," Webster said. "What he finds important, I do as well, so it's a really good match. "He feels comfortable that he's having a really good impact on the place, which he is. "He's so comfortable in his own skin and I think his best footy is because he's on page with the club values."
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Roosters handed huge Joey Manu boost as Warriors make call on fan favourite
The New Zealand Warriors have announced a two-year contract extension for fan favourite Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (CNK), in a move that appears to end speculation they could look to sign former Roosters star, Joey Manu. The Warriors confirmed on Wednesday that CNK had knocked back overseas interest to commit his future to Andrew Webster's side, in news that will please the Auckland club's fans. The fullback had been linked with a move to the English Super League but has decided to remain with the Warriors until at least the end of the 2027 NRL season, when he will be 32. It was widely expected that CNK would leave the Warriors at the end of this season, with fellow Kiwi superstar Manu tipped to take his place at fullback, after reportedly getting cold feet about his move to French rugby. But that will not be the case after the Warriors re-signed Nicoll-Klokstad, which potentially hands the Roosters a major boost in bringing Manu back to the Bondi club. CNK has been superb for the Warriors since returning from Canberra for a second stint at the Kiwi club. And he helped them reach the preliminary finals during his first year back in 2023. CNK cemented himself as one of the best defensive fullbacks in the NRL during his time in Canberra but set a new personal best for average run metres in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He was missing for the Warriors' thrilling golden point win over Brisbane last week but is set to return at fullback for Friday night's home game against Newcastle in Christchurch. The Warriors do have the electric Taine Tuaupiki as a quality back-up for CNK at fullback, and he had emerged as a candidate to take over the No.1 jersey if Nicoll-Klokstad left to play overseas. But coach Webster made it clear that CNK was a huge part of their plans going forward after expressing his delight that the fullback had agreed on an extension. "Keeping Charnze means so much to us," the Warriors coach said. "He plays such a huge part at our club and we didn't want him going anywhere else. The energy he brings every training session, every game and around the club is unbelievable. He's all heart and soul and we love him." Nicoll-Klokstad returns from concussion protocols to face an out-of-sorts Newcastle on Anzac Day, knowing that a win could lift the Warriors into second on the ladder. CNK had been the Warriors' only regular first-grader without a deal beyond 2025 but winger Ed Kosi, back-up playmaker Te Maire Martin and forwards Tom Ale and Bunty Afoa are all unsigned after this season. View this post on Instagram A post shared by One NZ Warriors (@nzwarriors) CNK's extension ends speculation the Warriors could look to sign Manu as their next fullback, with the Roosters seemingly in the box seat to bring the club legend back from rugby. Manu left the Roosters at the end of last season and made a switch to rugby union, where he's been playing for Japanese side, Toyota Verblitz. The former Golden Boot winner then planned on linking up with French rugby club Racing 92 from July, ahead of the domestic rugby season in France which kicks off in August. But recent reports suggested Manu has had a change of heart and is understood to be angling for an NRL return on compassionate grounds. However, Roosters coach Trent Robinson poured cold water on the prospect of bringing Manu back this season, and said he was unaware of reports the club legend was eyeing a return to the NRL. "I had no idea about it at all, so that's the first thing," Robinson said earlier in April. "Joey, this is his home, it always has been. But I'm sure he's got a plan. If he's asked for a release, then he'd have a plan on what he wants to do, and that's not going to be (with) us." Robinson seemingly left the door open for Manu to return next season though, and Nicoll-Klokstad's re-signing with the Warriors would seem to give them a clearer path to bringing Manu back. "Naturally you would (welcome him back), but that's not our choice. Joey gets to make his choice," Robinson said about the two-time premiership winner. "He doesn't owe us anything. We've spent a lot of time together. There's obviously a professional relationship with the Roosters and also a lot of care for his family. I don't know if it's true, I've heard it reported. But until Joey tells me, then I won't be interested in why he doesn't want to go to France."
Perth Now
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Warriors lock down fullback for two more years
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has knocked back overseas interest to sign a two-year contract extension at the Warriors. The fullback had been linked with a move to the English Super League but he will now remain in Auckland until at least the end of 2027, by which point he will be 32. Nicoll-Klokstad has been solid since returning from Canberra for a second stint at the Kiwi club, most notably helping the side reach a NRL preliminary final during his first year back in 2023. With the Raiders, Nicoll-Klokstad cemented himself as the league's most elite defensive fullback but set a new personal best for average run metres in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The new contract is a big endorsement from the Warriors, whose electric back-up No.1 Taine Tuaupiki has the wares to start at fullback. "Keeping Charnze means so much to us," said Warriors coach Andrew Webster. "He plays such a huge part at our club and we didn't want him going anywhere else. "The energy he brings every training session, every game and around the club is unbelievable. He's all heart and soul and we love him." Nicoll-Klokstad has been named to return from a head knock to face out-of-sorts Newcastle on Anzac Day. With a win, the Warriors could finish the round as high as second on the ladder. Nicoll-Klokstad had been the Warriors' only regular first-grader without a deal beyond 2025 but winger Ed Kosi, back-up playmaker Te Maire Martin and forwards Tom Ale and Bunty Afoa are all unsigned after this season.
NZ Herald
23-04-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Warriors v Knights: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad re-signs until end of 2027 NRL season
Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has snubbed offers from overseas to re-sign with the Warriors until the end of the 2027 NRL season. Nicoll-Klokstad was being chased by clubs in the English Super League – particularly the Perpignan-based Catalans Dragons – but has opted to remain with the Warriors for another two years. The London Broncos, who play in England's second-tier championship, were also understood to be in the mix. Warriors coach Andrew Webster is delighted to have retained the 29-year-old for a further two years. 'Keeping Charnze means so much to us,' said Webster. 'He plays such a huge part at our club, and we didn't want him going anywhere else.
