Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and family celebrate his 50th game for the Warriors. Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
Long after his NZ Warriors teammates disappeared into the Mt Smart night, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad remains, sweeping out the locker room.
The veteran fullback has just played a starring role in his 50th appearance for the Auckland NRL club, inspiring them to a hard-fought 14-6 win over perennial powerhouse Sydney Roosters at Go Media Stadium.
He has run 30 times for 316 metres - 96 of them after contact and 73 on kick returns - broken seven tackles and assisted on both centre Ali Leiataua's tries.
That's not a bad night of footy, but clearly, his contribution does not end at the final siren.
"It's been a journey," Nicoll-Klokstad, 29, admitted.
"Happy to get 50 for the club, but more importantly the win."
Seven years ago, he never thought he would reach a half-century of games for his hometown team.
In fact, after suiting up seven times in his 2017 debut season, he could not crack the first-grade line-up at all the following season and was granted an early release to take up an opportunity with the Canberra Raiders.
Trapped behind an all-star back three of fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, and towering wingers David Fusitu'a and Ken Maumalo, Nicoll-Klokstad could see his development stagnating at the club.
"I remember playing my first game, looking up at the 300-game Warriors board and seeing Simon [Mannering]," he said.
"I wanted to be that guy, but that changed.
"I went to the Raiders and thought I'd spend the rest of my career there, and now I'm back home."
After 66 games for Canberra, his return to Auckland coincided with Tuivasa-Sheck's switch to rugby, but after a season, his friend and rival was back in the mix.
Coach Andrew Webster has persisted with Nicoll-Klokstad in the No1 jersey, experimenting with RTS in the centres - where he had played for the All Blacks - and adding a sprinkle of Taine Tuaupiki whenever needed.
After being squeezed out the first time, he's had to withstand calls from fans and media for Tuivasa-Sheck to return to the position where he won his Dally M Medal, while Tuaupiki continues to impress whenever he gets an opportunity.
"It's more important to dive into your own game and what you do well, and that's what I've been doing really," Nicoll-Klokstad said.
"I really enjoy having both those boys in the team and what they bring is different to what I bring to the team - I've just got to back what I'm bringing at the moment."
An unfortunate, but timely pre-season injury to winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has seen the trio of would-be fullbacks out on the field together so far this season, with each enjoying moments of brilliance.
"It's very cool," Nicoll-Klokstad agreed.
"I get on very well with both Taine and Roge, so it's nice."
Amid all his stats on this occasion, his own most valuable moment probably came in the build-up to Chanel Harris-Tavita's go-ahead try.
At the start of that set, Nicoll-Klokstad stayed down, suffering the effects of an apparent crusher tackle that went unpunished by referee Ashley Klein. Eventually, back on his feet, he popped up again a couple of tackles later for a telling run over halfway that gave his team momentum.
The rest is history. Tuaupiki teased his markers a little on the right edge before Harris-Tavita put up a marginal chip-kick that he chased and claimed himself to plunge over for the try.
Tuivasa-Sheck's big moment came 10 minutes earlier, when he made a despairing cover tackle that tipped Roosters flyer Dom Young into touch just short of the corner flag, then limped off with a hamstring injury.
Webster later revealed RTS had damaged the muscle a couple of plays earlier, but they could not sub him off quickly enough, as Sydney roared onto attack.
"I was wondering why he hadn't dropped back for what we call 'pendulum' for our backfield stuff, then I got the gist that he might be injured," Nicoll-Klokstad admitted.
"For him to stick out there and make a try-saving play like that… that's a game-winning play right there.
"That's the type of athlete Roger is and to be able to rub shoulders with him in the same side is pretty special. He's a special player."
Defeating the Roosters holds special significance and a certain symmetry for Nicoll-Klokstad. The result ended an eight-year drought for the Warriors against Sydney at Mt Smart - their 14-13 win in 2017 was his debut game for the club.
"That's funny," he reflected.
"My debut game we beat them and my 50th game - that's cool.
"That was the first time since I've been back at the club in 2023 that we've beaten the Roosters.
"They're always going to be a tough team, they're physical and they're always a top-four championship team, so we always know what they're going to bring."
The Warriors would do well to keep their humble fullback around for another 50 games to take full advantage of the good karma he brings to the locker room.
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