Marata Niukore

Marata Niukore (born 29 July 1996) is a Cook Islands international rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row, lock and centre for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL. He will join the New Zealand Warriors in 2023.

Mara Niukore
Personal information
Full nameMarata Niukore
Born (1996-07-29) 29 July 1996
Auckland, New Zealand
Height188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight106 kg (16 st 10 lb)
Playing information
PositionSecond-row, Lock, Centre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2018– Parramatta Eels 78 7 0 0 28
2023– New Zealand Warriors 0 0 0 0 0
Total 78 7 0 0 28
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2017– Cook Islands 3 2 0 0 8
As of 18 April 2022
Source: [1]

Background

Niukore was born in Auckland, New Zealand.

Career

2018

He started his career with the New Zealand Warriors Under 20s before being signed by the Parramatta Eels until the end of 2018 and playing for Wentworthville Magpies in the NSW Cup. Niukore made a total of 40 appearances for Wentworthville over 2 seasons.[2] He represented the Cook Islands against Papua New Guinea in 2017.

In round 11 of the 2018 NRL season, Niukore made his NRL debut for Parramatta against the New Zealand Warriors.[3]

Niukore ended the 2018 NRL season for Parramatta with 14 appearances for the club as the club endured a horror season on and off the field claiming its 14th wooden spoon.

2019

In round 1 of the 2019 NRL season, Niukore started at second-row for Parramatta scoring his first NRL try against the Penrith Panthers in a 20–12 win.[4]

On November 4 2019, it was announced that Niukore had signed a three-year deal to remain at Parramatta until the end of the 2022 season.[5]

2020

He made a total of 17 appearances for Parramatta in the 2020 NRL season as the club finished third but were eliminated from the finals in straight sets.[6]

2021

At the start of the 2021 NRL season, Niukore replaced the injured Waqa Blake at centre. In round 9 of the 2021 NRL season, he was placed on report for a high tackle on Sydney Roosters player James Tedesco and was later suspended for two matches.[7]

In round 22, Niukore was sent to the sin bin during Parramatta's 56–10 loss against Manly.[8] Niukore made a total of 21 games for Parramatta and played in both of the club's finals matches against Newcastle and Penrith. Parramatta were eliminated by Penrith at the semi-final stage in a tough 8–6 loss.[9][10]

On 11 November, Niukore signed with the New Zealand Warriors on a four-year $2.6 million starting in 2023, until the end of 2026.[11]

References
  1. "Marata Niukore - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  2. "Debutant Watch: Niukore Named for Eels". 15 May 2018.
  3. "PNG vs Cook Islands". 9WWOS. 6 May 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  4. "Parramatta 2018 season review". NRL. 23 October 2018.
  5. "Parramatta Eels re-sign five players as rumours of Ryan Matterson joining grow louder". Sporting News.
  6. "Parramatta Eels farewell 11 players in mass exodus following disappointing finals exit". www.sportingnews.com.
  7. "Eels stuck in COVID bubble drama as awkward Magic Round problem comes to light". www.foxsports.com.au. 9 May 2021.
  8. "Eels star's season could be over as 'shocking' high shot earns a HUGE suspension". www.foxsports.com.au. 15 August 2021.
  9. "Parramatta Eels defeat Newcastle Knights 28-20 in NRL elimination final". ABC News. 12 September 2021.
  10. "Penrith Panthers handed NRL breach notice, fined $25,000 after incident in Parramatta semi-final". ABC News. 21 September 2021.
  11. "Warriors sign Eels star Marata Niukore on $2.5 million deal". News.com.au — Australia's Leading News Site. 10 November 2021.


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