Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has challenged his team to give Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad a hand after the fullback carried the Green Machine in the loss to Penrith.
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Nicoll-Klokstad was massive in his return from a compound dislocation of his little finger, scoring two tries in the 28-12 loss at Penrith on Saturday.
But he also provided carry after carry - 30 in all - for a game-high 257 run metres.
The New Zealand international also made two line breaks and five tackle busts.
It left him struggling with cramp in his calf in the dying minutes and forced him to come from the field with five minutes remaining.
He'll be right to play the Brisbane Broncos at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.
His efforts weren't lost on Raiders coach Ricky Stuart.
"He had a massive game, he did that much work. More just he couldn't run with it so better getting him off," Stuart said.
"He had an enormous amount of efforts. Not many times you get a fullback at the forefront carrying a load like that.
"We're fortunate to have his workload. He made 257m and he carried the ball 30 times.
"We've got to get some others coming in and helping Charnze because he really carried us [Saturday] night and I need other people carrying us. I don't need our fullback carrying us."
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Nicoll-Klokstad was his usual humble self when asked about his second half, where he gave the Green Machine a slight sniff of victory.
He praised those around him for helping create openings that he took.
Not there was much of an opening either time he barged his way over the tryline.
"Jackie [Wighton] and Elliott [Whitehead] do a really good job holding defenders so that makes my job a lot easier as well," Nicoll-Klokstad said.
"I've got a few strike weapons outside me in Jarrod [Croker] and Jordan [Rapana] so that holds the defenders out too."
He said his finger was fine after missing just one week following surgery.
The 25-year-old said it was "a little bit sore" during the warm-up and a couple of times during the game.
He said it didn't play a role in his early struggles under the high ball - something he overcame to produce his massive second half.
"No it didn't. There was just a few things that I needed to decide," Nicoll-Klokstad said.
"I needed to decide whether I was going to go up or not and I was a bit in two minds there.
"I was really happy I was able to come out and do a lot better with the high balls in the second half.
"There's obviously things I know I can work on and I look forward to building into a big game this weekend."
Nicoll-Klokstad said the team would also take a lot out of the Panthers loss and look to use them against the Broncos.
Brisbane have been embroiled in controversy all season and will now also be without coach Anthony Seibold and second-rower Tevita Pangai jnr, who will both be in self-isolation.
"We've got to be a lot better. The Broncos haven't played too bad the last few games," Nicoll-Klokstad said.
"I know they're going to come down with a lot of determination and they get a few boys back as well.
"For us it's just worrying about what we can control and what we do."
NRL ROUND 14
Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Brisbane Broncos at Canberra Stadium, 7.35pm.
David Polkinghorne
Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times. Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job. Email: david.polkinghorne@canberratimes.com.au
Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times. Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job. Email: david.polkinghorne@canberratimes.com.au
