‘Always a Raider’: Nicoll-Klokstad’s emotional Canberra goodbye

On Saturday, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad couldn’t hold back the tears—he was looking out at GIO Stadium in lime-green Raiders colours for what was likely the last time, victorious won final time with the club’s NSW Cup squadron.

Next season, the Kiwi star is returning to the Warriors.

There was little that could have stopped the waterworks after the win.

“It’s been an emotional week,” the 27-year-old told FOX Sports after the 24-12 win over Blacktown Workers. “Four good years here at this club. So grateful for all the memories I’ve been able to share with these boys.

“So grateful,” Nicoll-Klokstad added. “I’m so glad I’ll forever be Raider #355.”

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The departing back received a standing ovation from the Green Machine faithful as he battled his way to a standout performance over Blacktown. In classic Nicoll-Klokstad fashion, he ran 162 metres, set up the team’s first try, and added two more of his own in the 24-point haul—the last of which was met with long-ringing cheers.

“I just want to thank you guys so much,” he said to the fans.

“Even after I signed to go back home [to the Warriors in New Zealand], everyone has been so supportive. I just want to thank everyone—my family back home, my boys, and my wife in the stands. It means so much.

He continued: “It’s been a roller coaster two years [in the capital]. So it’s good to be able to finish on a high here and finish off with the future of the Canberra Raiders boys [in the NSW Cup squad].”

Beautiful words from Charnze ❤️

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WATCH #FoxLeagueSuperSaturday on CH502 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hKw7V5Ey0D

— Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 27, 2022

The Warrior junior has spent the last four years in lime green representing the nation’s capital and is returning to New Zealand next year to be closer to his and his wife’s families as he raises a young family amid his NRL career.

Nicoll-Klokstad was a standout for the Raiders in their shining 2019.

Throughout the Green Machine’s charge to the title decider—which they eventually lost to the Roosters—the fullback-come-outside back scored 11 tries and wowed the Canberra faithful in a year to remember. He was a key cog in the march to the club’s first grand final in a quarter of a century.

The Auckland-born NRL star played seven games for the Warriors before moving to the Raiders in that breakout 2019 season. He went on to play 66 games for the Green Machine in four years.

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