Rugby League

Marata Niukore signs with NRL's Knights

Apr 13, 2026

Justin Holbrook's promising first season at Newcastle has extended to the negotiations table, with the Knights signing Marata Niukore to a three-year deal.

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The 29-year-old will leave the Warriors at the season's end to bolster the Knights' forward pack, which has been a weaker point of the roster in recent years.

Niukore is able to play through the middle, at second-row or in the centres in a pinch and is now tied to the Knights until the end of the 2029 season.

He has played 161 NRL games, featuring in Parramatta's 2022 grand final team before helping the Warriors reach their first preliminary final in 12 years the following season.

Niukore scored a try in Saturday's 38-14 defeat of Melbourne, their first win at AAMI Park since 2014, and has played 10 Tests for New Zealand.

"He adds genuine skill and versatility to our future stocks," said Knights recruitment boss Peter O'Sullivan.

Niukore joins high-profile duo Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Mitch Barnett in leaving the Warriors at the end of the season.

The signing comes a day after the understrength Knights were flogged 42-22 by resurgent Wests Tigers.

Last year's wooden spooners have a 4-2 record and could regain marquee man Dylan Brown for Sunday's clash against the Sydney Roosters following his knee injury.