# 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.

## 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.

### 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.

### 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.

### 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.

### 2022

In round 25 of the 2022 NRL season, Nikora scored a hat-trick in Cronulla's 38-16 victory over Newcastle. 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.

### 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.

### 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. 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. On 8 November, the Sharks announced that Nikora had re-signed with the club until the end of 2027.

## Statistics
### NRL

    *denotes season competing
| Season | Team | Matches | T | G | GK % | F/G | Pts |
| 2019 | Cronulla-Sutherland | 24 | 7 | 0 | — | 0 | 28 |
| 2020 | Cronulla-Sutherland | 16 | 6 | 0 | — | 0 | 24 |
| 2021 | Cronulla-Sutherland | 22 | 4 | 0 | — | 0 | 16 |
| 2022 | Cronulla-Sutherland | 24 | 8 | 0 | — | 0 | 32 |
| 2023 | Cronulla-Sutherland | 25 | 8 | | | | 32 |
| 2024 | Cronulla-Sutherland | 25 | 10 | | | | 40 |
| Career totals | 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 | Māori All Stars | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Māori All Stars | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | Māori All Stars | 1 | | | | | |
| Career totals | 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 | New Zealand | 5 | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 8 |
| 2023 | New Zealand | 3 | 1 | | | | 4 |
| Career totals | Career totals | 12 | 3 | 0 | — | 0 | 12 |