One New Zealand Warriors second rower Marata Niukore is set to line up for the Cook Islands for the first time since 2019 after being named in the island nation’s squad for the Pacific Championships.
A six-Test Kiwi international from 2022-2024, the 29-year-old NRL veteran missed out on the Kiwis’ squad in the face of intense competition for the second row spots with Kiwi coach Stacey Jones opting for Briton Niukore, Scott Sorensen, Isaiah Papali’i and debutant Xavier Willison, fresh off his NRL premiership-winning deeds with the Broncos.
Niukore has previously played three Tests for the Kukis in 2017 and 2019.
Coached by former Kangaroo Karmichael Hunt, the Cooks are in the second-tier Pacific Bowl competition being played in Port Moresby. They face the Fiji Bati on October 18 and the PNG Kumuls on October 25 in their bid to make the final on November 9.
As well as Niukore, the Kukis have named Brisbane Broncos NRL premiership-winning second rower Brendan Piakura and former Warrior and Cronulla Sutherland Sharks centre KL Iro.
Other players in the squad with Warriors connections include Brody Tamarua, Cassius Cowley, Eson Ioka, Paul Ulberg and Pride Petterson-Robati.
Cook Islands | 2025 Pacific Championships
Brad Takairangi (South West Goannas)
Brendan Piakura (Brisbane Broncos)
Brody Tamarua (Norths Devils)
Cassius Cowley (Wynnum-Manly Seagulls)
Davvy Moale (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Delahia Wigmore (Penrith Panthers)
Esan Marsters (Salford Red Devils)
Esom Ioka (Northern Pride)
Justin Makirere (Norths Devils)
KL Iro (Cronulla Sutherland Sharks)
Marata Niukore (One New Zealand Warriors)
Makahesi Makatoa (Sydney Roosters)
Mason Teague (Newcastle Knights)
Paul Ulberg (Toulouse Olympique)
Pride Petterson-Robati (Souths Logan Magpies)
Reuben Porter (Wests Tigers)
Reubenn Rennie (Toulouse Olympique)
Rua Ngatikaura (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Teapo Stoltman (Souths Logan Magpies)
Tepai Moeroa (North Sydney Bears)
