Returning Warrior Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has revealed his desire to lead the Warriors to their first-ever premiership title in 2023.
The 27-year-old previously represented the side between 2017-2018, but struggled to gain game time behind captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, David Fusitu’a and Ken Maumalo, crossing the Tasman to make his mark on the Canberra Raiders.
However, all three have since parted ways with the club, and with Reece Walsh Brisbane-bound, a spot opened up for the Kiwi international to return home.
Despite his success with the Raiders, Nicoll-Klokstad has revealed his excitement to return to the Warriors, saying an NRL title is the ultimate “goal”.
"When I first started playing there, that was something I really wanted to be a part of was, you know, they haven't won a competition there,” Nicoll-Klokstad told Fox Sports.
"To be a part of the first-ever premiership-winning team, that's the goal. I'm driven to help make that happen and I know a lot of the boys are too."
Kiwi journalist Lavina Good is equally excited for the Warriors 2023 prospects, saying the return of Nicoll-Klokstad and the mentality he is bringing should put them in good stead for a more “positive” NRL season.
“Nice positive talk at the end of the season with the Warriors on making it into the top half of the competition to go through to the semis,” Good told SENZ Mornings.
“I love Nicoll-Klokstad, he’s a Warriors junior and he was good enough to play first grade but ahead of him, he had Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Fusitu’a and Maumalo so he just struggled to get that opportunity to get game time.
“So he (took) off to the Raiders and all of a sudden he finds himself 73 games into the Raiders, played in the 2019 Grand Final … and he’s just become a new player.
“He’s still only 27 years of age (and) I actually think he has a lot to offer.
“To be brutally honest … if I had to choose between him and Reece Walsh, I would pick Nicoll-Klokstad. I like what he can do around the ball and also, I like what he does for the players surrounding him.
“He’s not an individual player, he’s more a team player; he’s definitely learnt that at the Raiders and it’s something for the Warriors fans to get excited about.”
Nicoll-Klokstad may yet receive a fairytale farewell from the Raiders after the side eliminated the Melbourne Storm in last weekend’s qualifying finals.
However, they will have to fend off the Paramatta Eels on Friday night to have any hope of challenging the premiership title.