Warriors v Knights
Kickoff: 8pm Friday, 25 April
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
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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/www.photosport.nz
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."
