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Nikau reveals why he signed for Melbourne in their inaugural season
Nicholas Quinlan • September 26th, 2025 7:47 pm
Former Cronulla Shark and Melbourne Storm lock Tawera Nikau has reflected on why he decided to join the club in its inaugural season.
Having played in England for six years, the New Zealander would join the Sharks for the 1995 season, which made the finals in every season he played for them.
Following their 1997 Super League Grand Final to the Broncos, Nikau decided that he would leave the club after losing to join the newly formed Melbourne Storm in 1998.
Explaining as to why he chose to sign with the new side, Nikau felt the opportunity to be a part of a new club was just too good to pass up.
“He (John Ribot) talked about what he wanted to create,” he said on SEN 1170’s Afternoons.
“And you don’t get too many opportunities to be part of a new franchise but also be a part of the leadership group.
“Lazzo (Glenn Lazarus) would be our captain, and we want you to be the vice-captain because they had a big ex-pat community of Kiwis living in Melbourne.
“And when he talked about the vision and what they wanted for Melbourne, and hopefully what it would be like in three to five years, I thought, ‘Man, this would be awesome to be a part of a new franchise and be a part of the club and be part of its history’.
“So, I said, ‘Yep, I’m in’.
“Moved down there, talked to Chris (Anderson) about it and what we wanted to create, and the rest is history.”
The move proved to be successful as the Storm made the finals in their first year and then followed it up with a premiership in 1999.
Friday will be an interesting night for Nikau, considering that he played for both sides, but his allegiances will go to the home side, noting that it might have been different had the Sharks won in ’97.
“Had I won a premiership with the Sharks, I would probably be with the Sharks (to win tonight),” Nikau noted.
“I won one with the Melbourne Storm, and I’ve been pretty loyal to them for all those years.
“But it’s going to be a tough one. I think the Sharks are pretty underrated.
“There are not too many teams that get to the Grand Final out of the top four. They have beaten the Roosters and the Raiders.
“And then you’ve got the Panthers, who I think will beat the Broncos on Sunday.
“But I’ll be cheering on the Melbourne Storm tonight.”
The Storm will be looking to make their 6th Grand Final in 10 years when they play the Cronulla Sharks tonight at 7:50pm AEST at AAMI Park.
SEN will have live coverage of the game from 7pm with Jimmy Smith, Brett Kimmorley, Jordan Kounelis and Robbie Kearns on commentary.
For more of Tawera Nikau's chat with Jimmy Smith, press the play button.
