Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has revealed that there were moments he thought he wouldn’t return to the NRL after experiencing “setbacks” during rehab for a hamstring injury.
Nicoll-Klokstad missed the first four games of the season, but starred in his return game against the Rabbitohs, running for a whopping 247 metres, two tackle busts a line break and two try assists in the 34-4 win.
Speaking to Fox League’s Lara Pitt after the win, Nicoll-Klokstad was emotional when talking about his journey to get back on the field.
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“Little bit emotional at one stage during rehab, I wasn’t too sure it would be something I would come back from,” he said.
“Just trusted the process, did my rehab week in week out and it’s so good to be back with the boys.”
The 28-year-old replaced Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at the back, with RTS starting in the centres.
After Tuivasa-Sheck’s sensational performance against the Knights last week, many thought that he would keep the No. 1 jersey for the Souths clash, but coach Andrew Webster was never not going to name Nicoll-Klokstad at fullback once he returned.
“Full credit to my coach. He’s been magical for me since I arrived back into Warriors HQ and he’s just filled me with confidence,” Nicoll-Klokstad said.
“He’s always trusting everything that I do and what I can bring to the team and that’s what I need and what players need. I’m so stoked to have him as my coach.”
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Webster lauded his fullback’s performance and raised the complications that Nicoll-Klokstad faced in his recovery.
“(How good he was) through the middle of the ruck. If they kick it behind, Charnze is cleaning it up. He’s just an effort guy he works hard all the time,” Webster said in his post-match press conference.
“It’s his first game back as well. It’s not like he’s had a huge pre-season either, he’s been injured. He’s so tough.
“It wasn’t straightforward for him. It wasn’t like a straight hamstring injury where you know how long you have to rehab it.
“There were setbacks along the way. He thought it was good and then it wasn’t. We were willing to be patient with him because of the depth of our squad.
“I just have so much faith in him and Roger and all our backs.”
Nicoll-Klokstad provided another touching moment during his interview with Pitt when describing the impact of Tuivasa-Sheck on this Warriors team.
In his first season back in the NRL after a stint in rugby union, the veteran played his 200th game on Saturday, scoring a try.
“Oh what a player. He’s still my favourite player. People don’t understand that I feel like a kid around him,” Nicoll-Klokstad said.
“My boys are like, ‘Roger is my favourite player too’, and I’m stoked. It’s generational. Generational favouritism.
“We’re so stoked to have him at the club. He’s a champion of a player, he brings so much quality to our club and we’re only going to get better with him in our team.”
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