KURT HAGGERTY believes Jayden Nikorima can be “one of the top pivots” in Super League when he is fit.
Now the Bradford Bulls boss is keen to see more of Nikorima on the field, with the halfback only playing a bit-part role in the club’s first season back in the top flight.
He’s set to make just his sixth appearance for the club against St Helens on Saturday, having been close to missing out on last week’s defeat at Catalans Dragons due to an ongoing shoulder complaint.
“When we can get Jayden on the field, he has showed his class at times,” Haggerty said.
“Some of his moments have been world class and he can be one of the top pivots in Super League, it’s just about keeping him on the field consistently.
“We will see the best version of Jayden when we get him on the field.”
Haggerty has also been speaking about Bradford’s future recruitment, although he declined to comment on reports linking Jayden’s brother Kodi Nikorima, as well as former favourite John Bateman, with moves.
In terms of what he wants to see from recruitment for 2027 and beyond, he said: “We are still looking holistically. We’ve got to sit down and debrief the squad.
“We were in a very difficult position last year to recruit with six-to-eight weeks (after promotion was confirmed). There were some signings that were rushed and some we had in the pipeline.
“We are still looking at players on the edges and in the middle so it is holistic in terms of recruitment.”