sport, raiders, canberra raiders, raiders, nrl, new zealand warriors, warriors, charnze nicoll-klokstad, roger tuivasa-sheck, andrew mcfadden

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is excited about going back to where it all began. His NRL career, his faith, his family. But in good news for the Canberra Raiders he hopes that trip helps ensure he's not moving back there any time soon. Nicoll-Klokstad will not only go head-to-head with his old club - where he played his first seven NRL games - but also with the man who kept him on the sidelines during his time at the New Zealand Warriors. But the 23-year-old has nothing to prove against Dally M Medallist Roger Tuivasa-Sheck or his old club as he prepares to play in front of a host of family and friends. His mum and dad, siblings, partner Sarah and his two sons Rio and Kyrie will all be in the stands when he runs out for the Green Machine at Mt Smart Stadium on Friday night. The Canberra Times revealed the Raiders would use the trip across the ditch to extend Nicoll-Klokstad's contract following his stunning debut season in lime green. MORE RAIDERS NEWS And the fullback is equally keen for that to happen. "I am hopeful we can sort something out or get something started this week," Nicoll-Klokstad said. "I'd really like to stay here and hopefully they see me here long-term and we can get something sorted. "I love Canberra. I've loved it since day dot and the journey I've been on has been amazing and I want to keep doing it with these boys." Nicoll-Klokstad began his career with the Melbourne Storm, coming through their juniors before returning home to join the Warriors. He made his NRL debut in 2017, ending the season with seven games, but he didn't add to them last year with Tuivasa-Sheck keeping him out of the team. Now the two will go head-to-head with Nicoll-Klokstad emerging as one of the buys of the season and one of the best fullbacks in the game. "That's probably one of the things that's making me most excited about it," he said. "Someone that I've looked up to, a role model, an ex-player that I used to rub shoulders with. It's definitely something that I'm looking forward to." Self doubt plagued Nicoll-Klokstad last year and he credits the man who helped bring him to Canberra for helping him conquer it. Raiders assistant coach Andrew McFadden suggested the Green Machine sign him following Jack Wighton's shift to five-eighth, having held the same role at the Warriors the last two years. But Nicoll-Klokstad revealed their relationship went beyond a coach-player one. "I was really lucky to have someone like Andrew McFadden there at the Warriors," the fullback said. "I asked him to be my mentor. His experience and his knowledge helped keep me on track last year. "Obviously he's the reason why I'm over here and at the Raiders now. "He pretty much gave me my first gig at the Warriors so I owe him two times now coz he's gotten me two jobs." Faith is an important part of Nicoll-Klokstad's life and again there's a Canberra link. It was his mother who first instilled it in him, but it wasn't until he moved back to New Zealand from Melbourne to join the Warriors that he took it to the next level. One day, former Raiders prop Charlie Gubb, who was with the Warriors then, asked him along to eGroup - a Bible study group. From there his faith has grown. "This was in 2016 and that first night I gave my life to Jesus and I haven't looked back since," Nicoll-Klokstad said. "I got baptised in 2017, I started attending church regularly and it's something that's definitely kept me humble. "When I look back and reflect on some moments it's definitely my faith that's kept me on a path that hasn't gone downhill. "It means a lot more to me than footy." But things weren't always going so well for Nicoll-Klokstad. His mother spent four years in jail and his brother Tyson, who had muscular dystrophy, died. While it was tough, Nicoll-Klokstad said it shaped who he is and he wanted to draw on his past to raise his own family. "With those experiences I'm hoping I can be a great father and a great role model for my kids and the family around me," he said. "I've got nothing to regret or anything that I'm bitter on about my past." NRL ROUND 20 Friday: Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium, 6pm.

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