Knights Strengthen Squad for 2027 with Marata Niukore
The Newcastle Knights have made a significant move in their preparations for the 2027 season by securing the services of veteran forward Marata Niukore on a three-year contract. The 29-year-old is returning to Australia after spending the first five years of his career with the Parramatta Eels and is currently in his fourth season with the New Zealand Warriors.
Niukore recently scored a try in the Warriors’ historic victory over the Melbourne Storm, marking a notable achievement for the team. Despite his current success, the player is seeking a new chapter in his career, with the Knights offering him an opportunity to play a more prominent role. The Warriors are known for having some of the most promising young talent in the NRL, which could have limited Niukore’s playing time in the future.
A Strategic Recruitment Move
The Knights have been proactive in their recruitment efforts, with players like Trey Mooney already making a positive impact after moving from Canberra. Dylan Brown has also shown great potential before sustaining a knee injury that has kept him out of action.
Peter O’Sullivan, the Knights’ head of recruitment, expressed his excitement about the signing of Niukore. He highlighted the player’s physical attributes and versatility, noting that he can play in the middle or on the edge with the same level of execution.
“Marata is one of the top edge defenders in the game and having played a lot of NRL in the centres, he adds genuine skill and versatility to our future stocks,” O’Sullivan said.
He also praised Niukore’s character, emphasizing that the player is committed to leaving the jersey in a better position than how he received it.
Dragons Prepare for Jaydn Su’A’s Departure
Meanwhile, the St. George Illawarra Dragons have announced that edge forward Jaydn Su’A will be leaving the club at the end of the 2024 season. Su’A has been a key member of the squad and has contributed significantly to the team’s success over the years.
Tim Watsford, the Dragons’ chief executive, thanked Su’A for his contributions and wished him and his family well in the future.
“Jaydn has been an important part of our squad and has made a valued contribution to the club during his time in the Red V,” Watsford said.
Su’A has been linked with a potential move to the Eels, with the club not ruling out a mid-season transfer. However, Eels coach Jason Ryles emphasized that any such move would require careful consideration.
“We do have the ability to do that (sign players now) but that’s something that we’ll have to look at with our recruitment team during the week and the weeks coming,” Ryles said as the club deals with a growing injury crisis.
