Sydney Roosters teen Jayden Nikorima: 'I wouldn't put my worst enemy through it'

Ask Jayden Nikorima his preferred position and the Sydney Roosters rookie says: "Utility".

Nikorima, the teenager who has been covering for Mitchell Pearce in the Roosters side this season, makes no qualms about the fact he prefers to come off the bench as an impact player rather than be confined to a specific role.

The 19-year-old also admits his introduction to the NRL was even tougher than he expected - "something I wouldn't put my worst enemy through" - and the off-season recruit from Brisbane had to mime the words to the Roosters club song after their first win of the season last weekend.

However, Nikorima hopes to one day play Origin for Queensland and Test football against brother Kodi, the Broncos utility who has already represented New Zealand.

If that was to occur, and Nikorima insists it isn't something he has thought about beyond declaring his allegiances to Australia after being chosen in the Junior Kangaroos, the Palmerston North-born playmaker has no idea how his parents would cope or what position he would play.

"Coming through the ranks I always played off the bench and if someone got injured I would cover their spot," Nikorima said ahead of Monday night's match against Penrith at Allianz Stadium.

"I like it, you sort of get to play different positions and go through what other positions do. I prefer being a utility over one specific position. I come on when all the tired forwards are there and try to spark something up for my team.

"In my last year with Brisbane, I played centre at the start of the season and then moved to five-eighth but I have played all the spine positions plus centre so I guess I can play anywhere in the backs or dummy half.

"I think a utility is good to have to cover the spine and if someone does drop, similar to what happened with Pearcey at the start of the year, I will put my hand up to go there."

With Pearce suspended for eight matches for a well-documented off-field incident on Australia Day, Nikorima was thrust into the five-eighth role for the World Club Challenge match against St Helens and the Roosters opening four premiership matches.

However, Roosters coach Trent Robinson has opted to start backrower Aidan Guerra at five-eighth in recent weeks and bring Nikorima off the bench.

"That's where I feel more comfortable, I guess, starting my NRL career off but I will do whatever is best for the team," Nikorima said.

I knew it was going to be more physical but not to the extent I have been put through.

Jayden Nikorima

"The circumstances weren't ideal at the start of the season and for the team's sake we would have liked to have had Pearcey there but I put my hand up until he gets back and I am still willing to do that until he does. I am enjoying the learning curve and it is only going to benefit me in the future."

Asked if playing at NRL level had been tougher than he expected, Nikorima said: "100 per cent. I knew it was going to be more physical but not to the extent I have been put through. It is something I wouldn't put my worst enemy through, but I am enjoying it."

Adding to his enjoyment was finally achieving a win with the Roosters last Friday night against South Sydney and Nikorima admits he did not know the words to the club song and had to ask halves partner Jackson Hastings for help.

"I looked at him with a blank face and said: 'What do I do?', and he said: 'Just follow the leader' so I just did that," Nikorima said. "Everyone said there is nothing better than your first win in the NRL and they weren't wrong. I know what it feels like now and I want more of it so hopefully we can get a few wins under our belt and I can learn the words off by heart."