Eels forward Marata Niukore has been granted an exemption to represent New Zealand in this year’s World Cup after coming desperately close to ruling himself out. Prior to pulling on the Kiwis jersey in June this year, the 26-year-old appeared for the Cook Islands three times between 2017 and 2019. Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. He had the opportunity to play (for Cook Islands). Marata had knowledge that if he played in that test, there was every chance he wouldn’t play in the World Cup.

Source: Stuff September 19, 2022 06:46 UTC