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Peta Hiku
Personal information
Born (1992-12-04) 4 December 1992 (age 31)
Gisborne, New Zealand
Height181 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight94 kg (14 st 11 lb)
Playing information
PositionCentre, Wing, Fullback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2013–15 Manly Sea Eagles 60 28 3 0 118
2016–17 Penrith Panthers 20 6 0 0 24
2017 Warrington Wolves 11 10 0 0 40
2018–21 New Zealand Warriors 73 19 0 0 76
2022–23 North Qld Cowboys 48 7 0 0 28
2024– Hull Kingston Rovers 32 16 1 0 66
Total 244 86 4 0 352
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2014– New Zealand 17 7 0 0 28
2019 Māori All Stars 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2]
As of 8 Oct 2024

Peta Hiku (born 4 December 1992) is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who plays as a centre, winger and fullback for Hull KR in the Betfred Super League, and New Zealand and the New Zealand Māori at international level.

He previously played for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Penrith Panthers, New Zealand Warriors and North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL and the Warrington Wolves in the Super League.

Background

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Hiku was born in Gisborne, New Zealand, and is of Māori descent.[citation needed]

Hiku played his junior football for the Manurewa Marlins and represented the Counties Manukau Stingrays in the National Competition.[3] Hiku played for the New Zealand Warriors' under-20s team in 2012, and had the second most metres gained during the 2012 NYC season behind teammate Ligi Sao.[4] At the end of 2012, Hiku was named the New Zealand Warriors under-20s player of the year. On 13 October 2012, Hiku played for the Junior Kiwis against the Junior Kangaroos, playing off the interchange bench in the 48-16 loss.[5]

Playing career

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2013

[edit]

In 2013, Hiku (and long time Marlins and Warriors teammate Ligi Sao) left the New Zealand Warriors and joined Sydney NRL club Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, playing mostly at fullback for the Luke Williamson-coached ManlyNew South Wales Cup team. In Round 6 of the 2013 NRL season, Hiku made his NRL debut on the wing for Manly-Warringah in place of the injured David Williams against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Brookvale Oval, scoring a try on debut in Manly's 25-18 win.[6] In his first game of NRL finals football in the 2013 NRL season, in place of an injured Brett Stewart, Hiku was judged as man of the match despite Manly going down 4-0 to the 2013 minor premiers the Sydney Roosters at the Sydney Football Stadium.[7] Hiku ran for a club record 297 metres on the night. Hiku later backed that up by running 231 in the following week's 24-18 semi-final win over Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at the SFS.[8]

Hiku representing Manly in 2013

Stewart made a surprise return from injury in the preliminary final win over South Sydney and Hiku was considered unlucky to miss a place on the bench both against Souths and in Manly's grand final team which lost 26-18 to the Roosters. Hiku finished his debut year in the NRL as a "Mr Fix It" type player, mostly filling in for the injured Brett Stewart, playing in 13 matches and scoring 3 tries for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the 2013 NRL season.[citation needed]

2014

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As of Round 7 of the 2014 NRL season, Hiku had played in all seven games for Manly-Warringah following injuries to other players, though when Brett Stewart and winger Jorge Taufua returned to the side coach Geoff Toovey retained Hiku in place of the out of form David Williams. On 2 May 2014, Hiku played his first test for New Zealand when he played at fullback in their 30-18 loss to Australia in the 2014 Anzac Test at the Sydney Football Stadium.[9][10] On 13 May 2014, Hiku re-signed with Manly to the end of the 2017 season after the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs offered him a contract who were searching for a fullback to replace the departed Ben Barba.[11] Hiku, who expressed his desire to stay with Manly-Warringah, also reportedly turned down a one million dollar contract to return to the New Zealand Warriors despite the opportunity to be closer to his family.[12] Hiku cemented his place on the wing for Manly, even keeping 2013 NRL top tryscorer David Williams in NSW Cup before "The Wolfman" was suspended for the season by the NRL due to a betting scandal. Hiku finished off the season with him playing in all of the Manly club's 26 matches and being the club’s highest tryscorer with 17 tries. On 23 September 2014, Hiku was selected in New Zealand's Four Nations train-on squad.[13] On 7 October 2014, Hiku was selected in New Zealand's final 24 man squad for the Four Nations.[14][15] Hiku played superbly at fullback in the Kiwi 30-12 victory over Australia on 25 October 2014 in the first game of the Four Nations tournament, helping the Kiwis to a 30-12 win over Australia, as well as their first win over Australia since the 2010 Four Nations final.[16] Hiku went on to feature in every tournament game for the Kiwis, playing every minute of every game at fullback. Hiku played in the Kiwis 22-18 Four Nations final win over Australia at Westpac Stadium.[17]

2015

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On 31 January and 1 February, Hiku played for Manly-Warringah in the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines.[18] He retained his spot in the New Zealand team for the 2015 Anzac Test, though he was moved to the centres as the Kiwis continued their Four Nations form with a 26-12 win over Australia at Suncorp Stadium.[19] Hiku finished the 2015 season having played in 22 matches, scoring 8 tries and kicking 3 goals for Manly-Warringah.[20] On 8 September, he was named in the New Zealand Kiwis training squad for their tour of Great Britain.[21] He was a shock selection at five-eighth, playing in all three matches against England in the Kiwis' 2-1 Baskerville Shield series loss.[22] In November, he was told by Manly's new incoming coach Trent Barrett that he was free to look for another club.[23] He was linked with the Penrith Panthers, Parramatta Eels, South Sydney Rabbitohs and St. George Illawarra Dragons,[24] eventually signing a three-year contract with Penrith on 9 December, starting in 2016, after being released from the final two years of his Manly contract.[25][26][27][23]

2016

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In Round 1 of the 2016 NRL season, Hiku made his club debut for Penrith against the Canberra Raiders, playing at centre and scoring a try in Penrith's 30-22 loss at Canberra Stadium.[28] In Round 11 against the Gold Coast Titans, Hiku suffered a season ending knee injury in Penrith's 28-24 loss at Penrith Stadium.[29] Hiku finished his 2016 NRL season early with him playing in 11 matches and scoring 5 tries in his first year with the Penrith club.

Hiku warming up for the Warriors in 2019

2017

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In Round 1 against the St. George Illawarra Dragons, Hiku made his return for Penrith where he suffered a fractured eye socket from a late hit from St. George prop Russell Packer in the 42-10 shock loss at Jubilee Oval.[30] Hiku was set to miss a month of footy but returned early in Round 3 against the Sydney Roosters where he came off the interchange bench in the 14-12 loss at Penrith Stadium.[31] On 19 June 2017, Hiku was released from his contract mid-season from the Penrith club to join the Warrington Wolves in the Super League after he was going behind in the pecking order for the centre and wing positions.[32] Hiku finished his 2017 NRL season with the Panthers with him playing in 9 matches and scoring 1 try. Hiku scored his first try in a 22-6 victory over local rivals the Widnes Vikings, and then scored again against them the following week in a 28-14 win in Round 1 of the Super 8 Qualifiers. Hiku would go on to play in 11 matches and score 10 tries in his short stint for Warrington. On 9 October 2017, Hiku was granted a released from Warrington on compassionate grounds to sign with the New Zealand Warriors on a three-year deal, starting from 2018.[33] On 5 October 2017, Hiku was named in the 24-man New Zealand Kiwis squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.[34] Hiku only played in 1 match in the tournament which was against Scotland, where he scored a hattrick of tries in the 74-6 demolishing win at Lancaster Park in Christchurch.[35]

2018

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In Round 1 of the 2018 NRL season, Hiku made his club debut for the New Zealand Warriors against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, playing at centre in the 32-20 win at Perth Stadium.[36]

2019

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Hiku made 23 appearances for New Zealand in the 2019 NRL season. The club missed the finals finishing 13th.[citation needed]

2020

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Hiku made 18 appearances for New Zealand in the 2020 NRL season as the club missed out on the finals.[37]

2021

[edit]

On 11 May, Hiku was ruled out for the remainder of the 2021 NRL season with a shoulder injury.[38] On 24 May, it was announced Hiku signed a two-year deal with North Queensland starting in 2022.[39]

2022

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Hiku played 26 games for North Queensland in the 2022 NRL season as the club finished third on the table and qualified for the finals. Hiku played in both finals matches for North Queensland including their upset loss to Parramatta in the preliminary final which denied the club a fairy tale grand final appearance.[40]

2023

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In round 2 of the 2023 NRL season, Hiku was placed on report for a crusher tackle during North Queensland's loss to arch-rivals Brisbane. Hiku was later suspended for two games over the incident.[41] On 21 May, Hiku signed a three-year contract to join English side Hull Kingston Rovers.[42]

2024

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Hiku made his club debut for Hull Kingston Rovers against arch-rivals Hull F.C. in round 1 of the 2024 Super League season. Hull Kingston Rovers would win the match 22-0.[43] On 12 October 2024, Hiku played in Hull Kingston Rovers 2024 Super League Grand Final loss against Wigan.[44]

Statistics

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Year Team Games Tries Goals Pts
2013 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 12 3 12
2014 26 17 68
2015 22 8 3 38
2016 Penrith Panthers 11 5 20
2017 9 1 4
Warrington Wolves 11 10 40
2018 New Zealand Warriors 22 4 16
2019 23 6 24
2020 18 8 32
2021 10 1 4
2022 North Queensland Cowboys 26 5 20
2023 22 2 8
2024 Hull Kingston Rovers 31 16 1 66
2025 0 0 0 0
Totals 243 86 4 352

References

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  1. ^ "Players". LoveRugbyLeague. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Peta Hiku – Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  3. ^ "NZRL". nzrl.co.nz. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  4. ^ "Peter Hiku". rleague.com. Archived from the original on 21 April 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  5. ^ "Junior Kangaroos Put To Sword". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  6. ^ "Manly v Sharks Match Report". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  7. ^ "Roosters Repel Sea Eagles in Epic battle". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  8. ^ "Live Coverage of Manly Sea Eagles and Cronulla Sharks". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  9. ^ "League: Six rookies among Anzac Kiwis - Sport - NZ Herald News". Nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  10. ^ Phil Mitchell (2 May 2014). "Australia v New Zealand". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  11. ^ Adrian Proszenko (4 April 2014). "Manly offers Peta Hiku a new three-year deal, but rival clubs circle". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  12. ^ Adrian Proszenko (12 April 2014). "Warriors offer Peta Hiku $1m to trump Manly and Canterbury". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  13. ^ "NZ Kiwi Four Nations train-on squad announcement". League Unlimited. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  14. ^ "Four rookies in Kiwis Four Nations squad". NRL.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  15. ^ "New Zealand name Four Nations squad | NRL". Zero Tackle. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  16. ^ Michael Carayannis (25 October 2014). "New Zealand hand Australia's young guns a reality check in Four Nations". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  17. ^ "New Zealand Champions after Defeating Australia 22-18". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  18. ^ "SEA EAGLES UNVEIL 2015 NINES SQUAD". Rugby League Week. 23 January 2015. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  19. ^ Chris Barrett (3 May 2015). "New Zealand Kiwis claim third straight win over Australian Kangaroos for first time since 1953". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  20. ^ "Custom Match List". Rugby League Project. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  21. ^ "League: Kiwis to manage Mannering's workload on England tour - Rugby League - NZ Herald News". Nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  22. ^ "Kiwis five-eighth Peta Hiku challenged throughout Kiwis tour". Stuff.co.nz. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  23. ^ a b Brad Walter (22 November 2015). "Sea Eagles back Peta Hiku linked to Rabbitohs in swap for Dylan Walker". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  24. ^ "Manly's Peta Hiku Has Interest From Three Clubs; Eels Place Formal Offer". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  25. ^ "Panthers swoop for Hiku | NRL". Zero Tackle. 7 November 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  26. ^ Adrian Proszenko and Michael Carayannis (9 December 2015). "Penrith Panthers sign Peta Hiku from Manly Sea Eagles". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  27. ^ "Panthers Beat Rivals to Secure Peta Hiku on Three Year Deal". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  28. ^ "Injuries strike as Raiders edge Panthers". NRL.com. 5 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  29. ^ "Tyrone Peachey Brain Snap Sums Up Poor Performance From Penrith Panthers in Loss to Titans". Dailytelegrpah.com.au. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  30. ^ Scott Bailey (22 March 2017). "Penrith winger Peta Hiku 'furious' over Russell Packer eye-socket hit". News.com.au. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  31. ^ John Dean (18 March 2017). "NRL 2017: Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters score, report". Fox Sports. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  32. ^ "Former Kiwis fullback Peta Hiku departs Penrith Panthers". 19 June 2017.
  33. ^ "Warrington Wolves release Peta Hiku freeing probable move to the New Zealand Warriors | Newshub". Archived from the original on 13 September 2017.
  34. ^ "Kiwis World Cup squad named". 5 October 2017.
  35. ^ "74-6: Kiwis absolutely annihilate Scotland".
  36. ^ "Rabbitohs v Warriors: Inglis at centre, Kearney names new faces". 5 March 2018.
  37. ^ "2020 NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS TEAM REVIEW". nothingbutleague.com. 13 November 2020.
  38. ^ "Warriors wonder kid Reece Walsh left on bench for Parramatta Eels clash, Peta Hiku gone for season". i.stuff.co.nz. 11 May 2021.
  39. ^ "Hiku switching from Warriors to Cowboys on two-year deal". nrl.com. 24 May 2021.
  40. ^ "'See it in their eyes': The late-season pact and 'massive sacrifice' behind Eels surge". www.foxsports.com.au. 23 September 2022.
  41. ^ "Scott Drinkwater hit with lengthy ban for Corey Oates hit, Peta Hiku suspended". www.sportingnews.com. 11 March 2023.
  42. ^ "Peta Hiku: Hull KR sign New Zealand international on three-year contract from 2024". www.bbc.co.uk.
  43. ^ "Hull FC 0-22 Hull KR - Rovers win season opener as hosts have two sent off". www.bbc.co.uk.
  44. ^ "Wigan v Hull KR: Super League Grand Final 2024 – as it happened". www.theguardian.com.
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