Jayden Nikorima admits the circumstances surrounding his Catalans Dragons exit were ‘difficult’ for him, but Salford Red Devils have helped him move on. Nikorima has joined the Red Devils on a deal running until the end of the 2025 Super League campaign after seeing his Dragons contract torn up.
The half-back was one of three players released by the French side, alongside Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Damel Diakhate, following an incident which was deemed to be highly unacceptable. Nikorima wasted no time trying to find a new club, though, with Salford signing him a week after his exit as they push towards the Super League play-offs.
The New Zealander didn’t sign in time to be involved against Huddersfield Giants last week as the club fell to a frustrating defeat in West Yorkshire. However, he’ll be looking to make a debut on Saturday when the Red Devils host Castleford Tigers in a game they could really do with winning if they are to push on and make sure of a top six spot.
Castleford have found form of late and promise to be a sterner test than perhaps they were earlier of the season, but Nikorima will hope to be the difference, with the half-back speaking about the confidence he believes he can give the side.
“The boys have been very welcoming, as well as Rowls (Paul Rowley) and the staff, too,” he told Salford’s official YouTube channel. “I’ve been talking to Krissy (Krisnan Inu) and Rowls, obviously all the stuff that happened at Catalans wasn’t ideal for me and my family.
“For them to reach out during a difficult period was, obviously for me during that rough patch, was very welcoming and showed a lot of character about them as coaches but also as a club and being here for a couple of days I can feel that already.”
He added: “I feel like we haven’t reached our full ability as a team. There’s a few games that I’ve seen, St Helens, Warrington, where I felt we backed out ability a lot more than what I’ve seen us do especially over the past couple of weeks so hopefully I can bring a bit of confidence to the team, we can back our ability and score more tries.
“[Play-offs are] a big reason why I signed here. I love playing finals footy and I can see with the squad we have, we’ve got a few boys coming back this week that we can do special things. I think the biggest thing for us now is just trying to get that belief back that we can do good things. I’m a bit of a confidence player so hopefully I can bring that spark to the boys and we can go on and do things at the back end of the year.”
Nikorima is familiar with Salford’s recent history and having witnessed the likes of Jackson Hastings and Brodie Croft excel in Greater Manchester, he’s keen to follow in their footsteps.
“I’ve had a couple of mates that have been in this team and done good things, Jackson Hastings, Brodie Croft, all in my position, too,” he added. “I know they can turn careers around and for me, I’m a runner. I know Brodie was here and that’s exactly what he did too, so playing out the back of this pack and Sneyd is something I’m very much forward looking to.”
