Salford Red Devils star Jayden Nikorima has taken a swipe at former club Catalans Dragons as he posted a heartfelt message addressing fans after his side’s Super League win over Huddersfield Giants.
Nikorima was pivotal in the ten-try hammering with the stand-off scoring a brace in the 60-10 win. He also grabbed an assist and made 122 metres with the ball in his best performance to date in Salford colours.
The 27-year-old was making just his fifth appearance for the club after joining in late July after his release from Catalans Dragons earlier in the summer. Nikorima was one of three released by the French side after allegedly skipping training to attend a concert in London.
Catalans’ loss was most certainly Salford’s gain with the former Melbourne man starring in recent weeks and seemingly hitting form ahead of the playoffs.
He’s now taken a major swipe at his former club whilst paying a heartfelt tribute to the Salford fans following his epic display on Saturday afternoon.
Super League star fires shot at former club
Credit: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Catalans Dragons made Nikorima one of their key signings ahead of the 2024 Super League campaign with the playmaker brought in to help replace the retiring Mitchell Pearce and Sam Tomkins.
He was one of three playmakers signed alongside Jordan Abull and Theo Fages and for long period this season, it seems that Steve McNamara has not known his strongest spine.
Following his release, Salford quickly snapped him up and like they have done with other former NRL players like Brodie Croft and Jackson Hastings, they’ve worked their magic and made a previously exiled talent feel right at home.
That’s certainly the feeling of Nikorima who posted on his Instagram about being at the “right team” who “believes in you”, in an apparent swipe at Catalans.
Nikorima posted: “Walking over to the Salford Devils fans & their Nikorima chant, side by side with my son, is a moment I’ll never forget. Your support from day one has reignited my passion and given me the confidence to enjoy the game again.
“This journey is a testament to second chances-believe in yourself, because when the right team believes in you, anything is possible. Thank you for embracing us and making this moment so special.”
Interestingly, among the replies was teammate Ethan Ryan who joined ahead of the season from Hull KR with the Irish international commenting: “Amen brother.”
Ryan found himself stuck behind Ryan Hall in the depth chart at Hull KR and only made 12 appearances in 2023, albeit scoring seven tries.
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