'No better way to finish': Niukore chasing fairytale end to Eels stint

Marata Niukore has set himself three goals in the next three months – helping the Eels to a premiership, winning the World Cup with the Kiwis and witnessing the birth of his next child in New Zealand.

The 2022 Telstra Premiership Grand Final against Penrith at Accor Stadium on Sunday will be Niukore’s farewell appearance for Parramatta as he is returning home to New Zealand with partner Nikki Johns and their two sons, Kayden and Levi, after six seasons with the Eels.

Kayden and Levi were born in Australia but Niukore and Johns are determined that their third child will be a Kiwi, as one of the reasons for the 26-year-old’s move to the Warriors was so they could be closer to family in Auckland.

“We are going to have a Kiwi baby, this one will hopefully be born in New Zealand and I am looking forward to that,” Niukore said.

“I have got two Aussie kids, who were both born here, so I am looking forward to taking my missus home and having our next one born in New Zealand.

“It is going to be a busy couple of months, the baby is due in mid-December, so if I do get to go to the World Cup, then hopefully I can come home and support my missus as much as possible.”

Niukore is set to play a key role in New Zealand coach Michael Maguire’s World Cup plans as the Kiwis are light on for centres and he is equally capable of playing there as well as second-row.

Eels teammate Bailey Simonsson, who was a late call-up for last weekend’s preliminary final win against North Queensland and will again play centre in the grand final, is also an option for the backline position.

However, Niukore will be part of the Kiwis squad after the NZRL fought for the utility to be able to play at the World Cup.

Niukore had helped the Cook Islands secure their place at the tournament by beating South Africa and the United States in 2019. Under IRL eligibility rules, any player involved in qualifying matches can’t play for another World Cup nation.

However, Maguire and NZRL CEO Greg Peters successfully argued that Niukore had represented his Cook Islands heritage as an NRL rookie four seasons ago in the belief that the World Cup would be played in 2021.

Had the World Cup gone ahead as scheduled 12 months ago, he would have been free to switch allegiances this year to New Zealand, where he was born.

“It was a challenge, and I am grateful for the time and effort that Madge and the NZRL put into getting me over the line,” Niukore said.

“I am just grateful to be able to put my hand up for the Kiwis at the World Cup and hopefully I will get the opportunity to play.”

The New Zealand squad will be announced on Monday but until then Niukore’s focus is on helping Parramatta and coach Brad Arthur to an eagerly awaited premiership.

Arthur signed Niukore when he had few options after being told at the end of the 2016 season that the Warriors would not be making him an offer and the pair have become close, with the coach also acting as a babysitter for Kayden and Levi.

“We have such a good relationship and we spoke a couple of weeks ago about what an ending it would be to finish with a grand final and we have an opportunity to do that now,” Niukore said.

“You talk about fairytale endings, and this is it for me this week. To leave with a ring would be such a relief and a dream come true.

“But when I look back on my time at Parramatta, whether that is with the ring or without it, I know that I have a lot of good memories at this club, with people on and off the field. There is no better way to finish than in a grand final.”