This article appeared on the channel 9 website this morning. You can't blame him for taking up the Warriors' offer.
Eels star reveals the Olympic dream ruined for his wife by a devastating illness
When Marata Niukore needs inspiration in his football, he only needs to look to his wife Nikki.
Nikki was one of New Zealand's most promising swimmers a few years ago when struck down by a devastating illness.
She contracted a severe but rare disease known as ulcerative colitis, which put her life in the balance.
Emergency surgery resulted in her having her colon removed and she was forced to wear a colostomy bag to drain her bodily waste.
She survived and was told she was out of danger, before the disease returned, reducing her life to a nightmare series of recurring visits to hospital and multiple operations.
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"She is my rock, my inspiration," Niukore told Wide World of Sports.
"We had a dream - me playing NRL and her going to the Olympics.
"Hers was cruelly taken away and she has fought so many brave battles.
"She has also given up a lot to make my footy dreams come true and I can't thank Nikki enough.
"She has her tough days and I try to help her through them and ease her pain."
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"They have been a godsend for us," Niukore says.
"When I have training or am away for games and Nikki is in hospital, Michelle takes the kids - she has such a kind heart, as does Brad."
But the Niukores knew that they need to be back near their loved ones once their third child arrives in December - and that's why the big forward has signed to return home to the Warriors in 2023.
"We love it at Parra but three kids, Nikki's battles and my career just make it too hard over here in Sydney," he said.
"We also want the kids' grandparents to get to know them better and they are more than willing to help us out."
Despite her problems and busy lifestyle, Nikki is thinking of others.
She makes pretty covers for colostomy bags and visits patients with her unfortunate condition in hospital, giving them away for free.
"That's the type of person she is," Niukore says. "She is my hero."
Replies
He is a big loss but I fully understand his reasons to go.
Family always comes first especially in situations like these.
Wow , didn't know that. It's not hard to see why players are improving under Arthur's watch either.
Unlike say Mahoney or Papali'i or Kaufusi, there was no money in the world we could have offered Niukore to stay, he was leaving regardless and to go back home, to me that is deserved.
It's easy to forget our players have lives out of football.
Family life is so important especially if there is medical issues to deal with.
Marata deserves a premiership for the sacrifices he and his family have made to represent the Eels jersey so honourably
Just another reason to win it all
x 2 .. yes indeed jas , so cmon parra , everyone of you guys and women, please play out of your skin this Sunday ....just play out of ya skin .
Exactly. I really hope the Eels win and win convincingly for all the hard work and obvious sacrifices they've made. They deserve it.
well done brad and michelle. Showing us what "being human" is all about
Inspirational story, thanks for posting that one.
Will miss Marata badly, but anyone with a young kid / kids understands his need to return home.
Hope he kills it for the Warriors.
X a billion
What I am really pleased about is he is putting in all to help Parramatta win this Grand Final. He has refound last years form and is a key for us on Sunday. Family must come first.
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