Brisbane Tigers have signed experienced halfback Darren Nicholls for the 2021 Intrust Super Cup season.
Nicholls made his NRL debut with St George Illawarra Dragons in 2018 and has also represented both the Queensland and New South Wales representative residents teams during his career.
Nicholls will form a vital cog in the Tigers squad next season with the half having experience at Queensland's Intrust Super Cup level previously, playing with Norths Devils and Redcliffe Dolphins before returning to New South Wales with the Dragons.
Nicholls returned to Queensland in 2020 after signing with Souths Logan Magpies; but the cancellation of the competition saw the experienced half register just the one appearance.
During his career, Nicholls has tasted success with the Penrith Panthers; winning the New South Wales Cup as well as the national championship.
Nicholls said he was hungry to add an Intrust Super Cup premiership to his list of achievements.
“In 2016 I lost a grand final with Redcliffe, I’ve won the New South Wales Cup and the State Championship, but never won the Queensland Intrust Super Cup, for me it’s something I want to tick off.”
Nicholls said his close relationship with Tigers head coach Jon Buchanan was a major selling point for joining the club.
“JB and myself have built a good relationship over the years, he was massive in me moving up to Queensland," Nicholls said.
"I feel like there’s a job ahead for us to do and it was a good opportunity to set down some new goals for myself.”
If it not been for his close relationship with Buchanan, Nicholls said he may not have played in 2021.
“I was thinking about not playing, but when JB was confirmed for the Tigers job, we had a coffee and decided we had some unfinished business together,” Nicholls said.
Buchanan said the experience of Nicholls would be massive for both the juniors as well as the squad in general.
“He’ll be great for our young fellas and our group as a whole… he’s a great communicator and we’re all going to benefit from having him here,” Buchanan said.
Buchanan spoke of Nicholls possessing a winning attitude which would be a welcome addition to the playing group in their search for a premiership in 2021.
“I know he really wants to win a premiership in this competition, I know I do, and I know this club does," Buchanan said.
"He’s a great addition for the club."
