Only three months ago, Kodi Nikorima roomed with promising playmaker Tom Dearden before Brisbane's final trial of the NRL pre-season.

Now the two playmakers will square off, when Nikorima faces his former club for the first time since his abrupt move to the Warriors.

"He's a good, young kid," Nikorima said. "He's always there willing to learn.

"He trained really well, too. That's why he's got opportunity now, because he leap-frogged a few of the boys in contention in that spot.

"The thing with him, he wants to learn and he's always asking questions."

Nikorima insists there is no bad blood between him and Broncos coach Anthony Seibold, despite being told his long-term future wasn't at Red Hill.

Instead, the club had put their faith in 18-year-old Dearden and allowed Nikorima to walk just eight weeks into the new season.

"I've said it all before - there's no animosity there," he said. "I left on pretty good terms and that's all I can say about that."