We're still waiting on Jordan Kahu's future with Brisbane Broncos, but the Broncs have snapped up Kodi Nikorima long-term. This was slightly weird though as it was only late last year that Nikorima opted to sign with Brisbane for two years, so news that the Broncos had locked Nikorima up with a three year deal was a bit of a curveball.

This is from 2016...

And 2017...

This is merely an extension of Nikorima's current contract and instead of coming off contract after the 2018 season, Nikorima will stick around until at least the end of 2020. Keep in mind that last year's re-signing came before Ben Hunt had signed with the Dragons and before Palmy North's finest had enjoyed a stint in the halves via injuries to Hunt and Milford.

With a pathway to a regular starting gig opening up thanks to Hunt's exit at the end of this season, it's a wise move from both parties to extend that deal. Nikorima has shown that he can do a job in the halves at NRL level and that's a major factor given that Nikorima has largely played a dummy half role off the bench throughout his career. Wayne Bennett and the Broncos were obviously impressed with Nikorima's work in the halves and ensuring that Nikorima is a long-term Bronco is a clear nod of approval for Nikorima to partner Milford.

I'd low key suggest that Bennett's decision to drop Hunt to reserve grade could have coincided nicely with the Broncos wanting greater clarity on Nikorima's ability to play halfback. Hunt and Milford will play out the rest of the season as the halves combo and it's Brisbane's strongest halves combo possible, so giving Nikorima an opportunity during Origin and in a stage of the season that wouldn't have a major impact on Brisbane's campaign, was a rather wise move.
Nikorima responded with strong performances and the Broncos saw enough to give him a gig.

There's only so much money you can spend on a bench utility, so this deal is probably worth more than the deal Nikorima signed last year as he's effectively been signed as a halfback and that would require an upgraded contract. Keep in mind that this news came at the same time as Bennett outlining how Sam Thaiday wouldn't get a new contract after 2018 and you could draw some links between the two as Brisbane would have more money to throw Nikorima's way for 2019 and 2020, if Thaiday is off their books.

We're still waiting for word on Kahu's future, as well as ol' mate Benji - who is expected to re-sign on a reasonably cheap one-year deal. Even if Benji enjoys an upgrade, the timing coincides nicely with Nikorima's deal as Nikorima's upgrade may not kick in until after 2018 when Thaiday and Benji could be gone.

Here's the rest of the #KiwiNRL off-contract landscape to ponder (word may have come out that some of these lads have signed contracts but it's gotta be official)...

Brisbane Broncos: Jordan Kahu, Benji Marshall.

Canterbury Bulldogs: Chase Stanley.

Cronulla Sharks: Gerard Beale, Sam Tagataese.

Gold Coast Titans: Agnatius Paasi, Eddy Pettybourne.

Melbourne Storm: Jeremy Hawkins, Shem Tatupu.

Warriors: Charlie Gubb, Ofahiki Ogden, Nathaniel Roache, Bodene Thompson, Albert Vete.

Newcastle Knights: David Bhana, Sam Mataora.

Parramatta Eels: Frank Pritchard, Honeti Tuha.

Penrith Panthers: Sitaleki Akauola.

St. George Dragons: Kalifa Faifai Loa, Siliva Havili, Mose Masoe.

Sydney Roosters: Paki Afu, Johnny Tuivasa-Sheck.

Wests Tigers: Watson Heleta.

Here's a team that I came up consisting of off-contract #KiwiNRL brothers...

FB: Beale
Wings: Tuivasa-Sheck, Faifai Loa.
Centres: Stanley, Heleta.
Halves: Marshall, Kahu.
Middles: Masoe, Paasi, Akauola.
Edges: Pritchard, Thompson.
Hooker: Havili.
Bench: Gubb, Tagataese, Mataora, Roache.

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