In 2022, Nikorima moved from the Warriors to South Sydney mid-year, but then came the seemingly inevitable call.

“The Dolphins had been able to talk to players since November of 2021, but the first phone call I got from Wayne was just after I signed with Souths in mid-year,” Nikorima said with a grin.

“Wayne rings and he says, ‘Look, the reason I haven’t called you until now is that I just assumed you’d come and play for me’. He wasn’t wrong. Here I am.

“This is like a homecoming for me at the Dolphins. I grew up 10 minutes from here at Bracken Ridge after we moved over [from New Zealand] when I was 10 years old.”

Nikorima is looking forward to another reunion, with former Broncos teammate Anthony Milford also on deck at the Dolphins. The duo forged a fruitful combination in the halves under Bennett at Brisbane.

“We reconnect in January and I am really excited about it,” Nikorima said.

“We will have to see how Wayne goes with combinations, but I grew up playing against Milf since I was 14. We played Queensland reps together and then we spent four full seasons together at the Broncos. I can’t wait.”