Briton Nikora

Briton Nikora (born 7 December 1997) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the NRL, and New Zealand and the New Zealand Māori at international level.

Briton Nikora

Personal information
Full name	Briton Nikora
Born	(1997-12-07) 7 December 1997 (age 26) Tauranga, New Zealand
Height	185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	94 kg (14 st 11 lb)
Playing information
Position	Second-row
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2019– Cronulla Sharks 136 43 0 0 172 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2019–23 New Zealand 12 3 0 0 12 2020–24 Māori All Stars 4 0 0 0 0
Source: [1] As of 28 September 2024

Background

Nikora was born in Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, New Zealand.

Playing career

2018

Nikora played his junior football at Keebra Park on the Gold Coast, before being signed by the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Nikora played in Cronulla's Holden cup teams in 2016 & the 2017 Junior Kiwis, in 2018 he was named in Cronulla's first grade squad and played Canterbury Cup NSW for Cronulla's feeder club Newtown.^{[citation needed]}

2019

On 15 March 2019 Nikora made his NRL debut for Cronulla-Sutherland against the Newcastle Knights at Hunter stadium in a 14-8 loss. Nikora made 24 appearances for Cronulla in the 2019 NRL season as the club finished 7th on the table and qualified for the finals. Nikora played in the club's elimination final defeat against Manly at Brookvale Oval.^[2]

2020

In round 20 of the 2020 NRL season, Nikora scored two tries in a 38-28 loss to Canberra at Kogarah Oval. The result saw Cronulla finish 8th on the table and qualify for the finals.^[3]

2021

Nikora played 22 games for Cronulla in the 2021 NRL season which saw the club narrowly miss the finals by finishing 9th on the table.^[4]

2022

In round 25 of the 2022 NRL season, Nikora scored a hat-trick in Cronulla's 38-16 victory over Newcastle.^[5] Nikora played 24 games for Cronulla throughout the season as the club finished second on the table. Nikora played in both finals games as Cronulla were eliminated in straight sets.^[6]

2023

Nikora played a total of 25 games for Cronulla in the 2023 NRL season as they finished sixth on the table. Nikora played in the clubs 13-12 upset loss against the Sydney Roosters which ended their season.^[7]

2024

In round 27 of the 2024 NRL season, Nikora scored two tries for Cronulla in their 40-20 victory over Manly in the "Battle of the Beaches" game.^[8] Nikora played 25 games for Cronulla in the 2024 NRL season as the club finished 4th on the table and qualified for the finals. Nikora played in all three of Cronulla's finals matches including their preliminary final loss against Penrith.^[9]

Statistics

NRL

*denotes season competing^[1]

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	F/G	Pts
2019	Cronulla-Sutherland	24	7	0	—	0	28
2020		16	6	0	—	0	24
2021		22	4	0	—	0	16
2022		24	8	0	—	0	32
2023		25	8				32
2024		25	10				40
Career totals		136	43	0	—	0	172

All Star

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	F/G	Pts
2020	Māori All Stars	1	0	0	—	0	0
2021		1	0	0	—	0	0
2022		1	0	0	—	0	0
2024		1
Career totals		4	0	0	—	0	0

International

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	F/G	Pts
2019	New Zealand	4	0	0	—	0	0
2022		5	2	0	—	0	8
2023		3	1				4
Career totals		12	3	0	—	0	12

References

1. Rugby League Project
2. "Under-strength Sea Eagles send Sharks packing". NRL.
3. "Parramatta beats Wests Tigers to claim third spot on NRL ladder, Panthers and Raiders score wins". www.abc.net.au.
4. "Papenhuyzen back to best as Storm secure minor premiership". www.nrl.com.
5. "Canberra Raiders hand out 56-10 NRL drubbing to Wests Tigers as Cronulla beats Newcastle Knights 38-16". www.abc.net.au.
6. "Young gun who can solve Sharks' big problem; masterstroke that can't be overlooked: Brutal Review". www.foxsports.com.au.
7. "Sydney Roosters score 'wild' 13-12 NRL elimination final win over Cronulla Sharks, Penrith Panthers beat Warriors". www.abc.net.au.
8. "Sea Eagles choke with home final on the line as Sharks silence sell-out crowd: What we learned". www.foxsports.com.au.
9. "The Mole's end of season review: Awkward Sharks puzzle laid bare after $1m star 'lost his way'". www.nine.com.au.

External links

• Cronulla Sharks profile