Warriors confirm Nikorima interest, coy on immediate switch

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney has confirmed the club's interest in signing Brisbane Broncos halfback Kodi Nikorima for next season, but refused to comment on the prospect of him joining the club in the coming weeks.

NRL.com understands a three-and-a-half year deal has been tabled by the Warriors, with an immediate move dependent on Nikorima being granted a release from the last 18 months of his current contract with the Broncos.

Kearney said the Warriors first expressed an interest in signing Nikorima for the 2020 season at the end of last year, but that any chance of the Kiwi international gaining an immediate release was now out of their control.

"We have expressed interest in Kodi for a long time, he was looked at as a prospect for 2020 last year," Kearney said.

"We have left it with him and his management for 2020 and that's it, so whatever happens this year, that's in their hands.

"I couldn't tell you [if there's a chance he comes this year], you'd have to ask the Broncos."

Nikorima won't play for Brisbane in Thursday night's clash against South Sydney, with coach Anthony Seibold citing a calf injury and Nikorima's impending decision as the reasons.

Warriors hooker Issac Luke, who has played alongside Nikorima for New Zealand, said there was no doubting the 25-year-old's talent but questioned what his signing would mean for promising rookie Chanel Harris-Tavita.

"[Kodi] is an experienced player, has played a lot of international footy and has played well for Brisbane as well," Luke said.

"He's going to bring a lot and is going to challenge a lot of the boys if he does come.

"I think he genuinely is going to be a great buy for the club, but what do you do with Chanel?

"I don't know, [Chanel] trained well today, he wants a spot.

"I think Kodi, if he does come, he will probably have to work hard for it because Chanel is doing a good job."

Meanwhile the Warriors' current chief playmaker Blake Green confirmed he has overcome the groin injury which saw him miss the last three games, and declared himself a certain starter for Sunday's match against Newcastle in Auckland.

"Good to go this week… I will be ready to rock on Sunday," Green said.

"It's going good. I had my first session with the team today and got some running in at the back end of last week, so I am good to go this week."

Green also commented on the prospect of lining up alongside Nikorima in the halves and denied the speculation would be a distraction for the team this week.

"He's the Kiwi number seven mate, the best halfback you've got in the country isn't he?" Green said.

"He's a very good player. If that eventuates it eventuates.

"[These situations are] not new anymore with the way game is, it sort of happens all the time. I found myself in that situation coming to the club over here.

"It's just part and parcel of the business now."