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.
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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.
Setback after setback has only brought the pair closer – and they are soon expecting their third child.
“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.”
Away from family and friends in New Zealand, the Niukores have found themselves a couple of willing babysitters in Eels coach Brad Arthur and his wife Michelle.
“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.
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“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.”
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