Knights announce key signing; momentum builds for Origin bolter: NRL Daily

The Newcastle Knights have confirmed the signing of Warriors forward Marata Niukore to a three-year deal in a big boost for the much-improved team.

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The Knights have been an early surprise packet in 2026, with new coach Justin Holbrook producing immediate results in his first season in charge.

Now he has landed a key signing ahead of 2027, with Head of Recruitment Peter O’Sullivan saying in a statement that the club is “super excited” to welcome the experienced forward to Newcastle.

“He is a big athletic body, who can play in the middle or on the edge, with the same level of execution,” added O’Sullivan.

“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.

“Equally importantly, we know he is a great person, who cares about the club, the community and the teammates he represents, already committing to leaving the jersey in a better position than how he receives it.”

Andrew McFadden, the Warriors’ general manager of recruitment, pathways and development, credited Niukore for his “huge contribution” to the club.

“Both as a junior in his first term here and since coming home in 2023,” he added.

“We’re looking forward to him continuing to be a crucial part of our 2026 campaign as he looks to finish his time with the Warriors in the best possible way.”

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MOMENTUM BUILDS FOR POTENTIAL BLUES DEBUTANT

Jacob Preston has already come mightily close to representing NSW and Australia, but a Blues debut is starting to gather momentum with the Bulldogs back-rower one of the leading candidates to replace Liam Martin if he’s ruled out of the State of Origin opener with a knee injury.

Martin left the field during Thursday night’s game against Preston’s Bulldogs, with reports suggesting he could miss six to eight weeks with an MCL injury.

The Origin opener on May 27 is roughly six weeks away, which would mean Martin wouldn’t have any footy under his belt even if he’s able to return at the lower end of the scale.

Losing him would be a massive blow for Blues coach Laurie Daley, given Martin has represented his state 15 times, but NSW has no shortage of options on the edge with Preston, Hudson Young and Haumole Olakau’atu all in scorching form.

While the others have played for the Blues, Preston is still waiting for his chance after he trained with them in Leura last year.

“That’s a massive dream of mine. It’s something I’ve wanted to do ever since I was a little kid,” he told the NewsWire.

“All I can do is take it week by week playing good football for the Bulldogs. As long as we’re winning games, we’ll be in contention for those spots, and a lot of other boys will be too.

“So if I play good footy, then whatever happens from there, happens from there.”

Preston, 24, has been outstanding for Canterbury ever since he made his NRL debut back in 2023.

He was huge for them in their shock win over Penrith, with Preston scoring a try and setting up another with his hole-running to ice the game.

Rep coaches have taken notice of his form, with Preston included in the Australian squad for last year’s Ashes series.

“I learnt so much from that tour. It was a great experience, and I have heaps of lifelong memories I’ll cherish forever,” he said.

“I want to put on those (rep) jerseys. I just took what I learnt from all the elite players I was around, implemented it into my training, and hopefully it keeps showing on the field.

“It wasn’t necessarily a single person (who really helped me). It was more so the level they train at and the accountability they hold themselves to. I think that’s the two main things I took from the tour, and I’m just trying to bring that back to the Bulldogs in my own training.”

Bulldogs legend Josh Jackson has helped him at training over the past few years given he knows what it takes to make it at the highest level, while his partnership with halfback Lachlan Galvin is also pushing him towards a Blues debut.

Galvin had his best game for the club last week and seems in total sync with his back-rower.

“He was outstanding,” Preston said.

“He’s been doing it at training, it’s coming out on the field, and as long as he keeps going after it, I’m sure there are going to be plenty more performances like that.

“We’ve had a pre-season to kind of work on our combinations and learn each other’s little intricacies. It’s only going to continue to build.

Preston’s form has coincided with a newfound confidence which has seen him express himself on the field more this season, with the edge forward poking his tongue out after crucial tries against Canberra and Penrith.

“To be honest, I don’t even know (where it comes from) so it just kind of happens,” he laughed.

“I don’t even mean to do it, so I probably should stop doing it.”

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