Official Tawera Nikau

[Google News]

Iro, Nikau become Kiwis selectors
Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 09:54 23/03/2010

Former international Tawera Nikau has been confirmed as one of two new selectors for the Kiwis rugby league side.

Nikau and assistant Kiwis coach Tony Iro are the new faces on a four-man national selection panel for the next two years.

They join incumbent selector and Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney while Howie Tamati remains as convener of the panel.

Iro and Nikau replace former Kiwis Tony Kemp and Darrell Williams, who were both required to resign after their two-year term as selectors.

"We thank Tony and Darrell for the contribution they have made as selectors during a positive period for our game which culminated in the Kiwis winning the World Cup in 2008," said New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Jim Doyle.

Doyle added that it had been "logical" to appoint Iro to the panel as he was now accountable, alongside Kearney, for the Kiwis’ performances. Nikau, he said, provided an "independent" viewpoint.

"Tawera brings tremendous knowledge and experience of the game and will add significant value to the team culture," he said.

There is a certain irony, though, in Nikau rising to such a role in the Kiwis, as the Premiership-winning former Melbourne Storm star once refused to play for his country during a period when he had a personal dispute with fellow international Richie Blackmore.

Nikau did play 19 times in all for the Kiwis, and also made three appearances for the New Zealand Maori at the 2000 World Cup.

But it was at club level that he performed his mightiest deeds, making 165 appearances between 1991-96 for Castleford in the UK, as well as spending three seasons with the Cronulla Sharks, two with the Storm and finishing his career with the Warrington Wolves.

In 1999 he played a significant role in Melbourne’s inaugural NRL Grand Final triumph when they came from behind to topple the St George-Illawarra Dragons.

Nikau is also considered an inspirational figure on the New Zealand league scene, particularly for the manner in which he has dealt with a 2003 accident which saw him lose most of his right leg in a motorcycle accident.

Iro made 25 appearances for the Kiwis, and played for Wigan, Manly, Eastern Suburbs, Hunter Mariners, Adelaide Rams and South Sydney in a peripatetic club career.

The first task for the new selection panel will be to pick the Kiwi squad for the 2010 Anzac test against the Kangaroos in Melbourne on Friday, May 7.

Source:http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=...ectors&usg=AFQjCNHqouAAgqflqlvawAumtxlGpG5s2A

 

[Google News]

League legend takes on NY Marathon

League legend takes on NY Marathon
BY NEIL REID
Last updated 05:00 10/10/2010

LEAGUE legend Tawera Nikau will compete in next month's New York Marathon, seven years after losing a leg following a motorbike crash.

Nikau, 43, will take part in the celebrated event to promote Achilles International – a global organisation encouraging people with disabilities to compete alongside able-bodied athletes.

It includes scores of soldiers left amputees after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We want to motivate people with all sorts of disabilities," Nikau told Sunday News. "Whether they are physically or mentally disabled, they can still compete with able-bodied people."

Nikau has been in training for the 42km race, on November 7, for four months and will travel to New York in a 12-strong New Zealand team.

His support person is rugby great and Sunday News columnist Frank Bunce. The 55-test All Black will walk the marathon alongside Nikau.

Despite training hard for the event, Nikau joked he didn't have a typical long distance athlete's build.

"I am about 118kg, which is a bit bigger than the normal marathon runner," he said.

Nikau's training included walking the Onehunga Half Marathon in Auckland earlier this month, which he finished in 3 hours 15 mins.

"So if I get under six-and-a-half hours in New York I will be happy," he said.

Nikau – who played 19 times for the Kiwis, and starred in NRL sides Cronulla and the Storm – wants to represent New Zealand at the Paralympics.

"The last few years I have been focusing on my family," he said.

"But I am in a good space in terms of what I am doing and getting back into it. The New York Marathon could be a precursor."

Nikau is also considering fronting a TV show highlighting how physical disability shouldn't limit people's involvement in physical endeavours.

"I have been talking about doing a series on different events... climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, a marathon and maybe the Kokoda Trail," he said.

Source:http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=...ws/4216276/League-legend-takes-on-NY-Marathon

 

[Google News]

Nikau ready to play in charity game

Former NRL star and amputee Tawera Nikau ready to play in earthquake charity game
Russell Jackson
March 2, 2011 - 9:54AM

Former Kiwis star Tawera Nikau says he's ready to play in a Christchurch earthquake charity rugby league match despite having an artificial leg.

The game in Auckland on Thursday week will feature a host of New Zealand greats such Olsen Filipaina, Kurt Sorensen, Hugh McGahan, Stacey Jones and Reuben Wiki along with several Australians including Mario Fenech and David Peachey taking part.

But it's Nikau, a feared, hard-running lock forward in his NRL days with Cronulla and Melbourne, who will be the main attraction if he takes the field at Mount Smart Stadium.

Nikau, who won a NRL premiership with the Storm in 1999, had his right leg amputated following a motorcycle accident eight years ago.

But the 44-year-old hasn't let his disability slow him down much, as he proved last year when he completed the New York marathon alongside former All Black Frank Bunce.

Next week's game has been organised by the New Zealand Rugby League and a host of former Kiwi internationals.

Gary Freeman, Monty Betham, Nigel Vagana and Nikau have helped put the teams together.

NZRL chief executive Jim Doyle said rugby league wanted to do their bit to support those affected by the earthquake.

"Everyone in the country is trying to find some way of helping the people in Christchurch and the Canterbury region," he said.

"Staging the Legends of League Charity Match is our way of bringing people in Auckland together to provide some financial support for a community that's been devastated and is in desperate need."

The list of players set to be involved so far is: Willie Talau, David Kidwell, Luke Covell, Alex Chan, Olsen Filipaina, Kurt Sorensen, Andrew Lomu, Jason Williams, Sam Panapa, Sam Panapa, Sean Hoppe, Quentin Pongia, David Peachey, Mario Fenech, Awen Guttenbiel, Stacey Jones, Monty Betham, Richie Barnett, Wairangi Koopu, Logan Swann, Joe Vagana, Ruben Wiki, Tawera Nikau, Paul Rauhihi, Jerry Seuseu, Tea Ropati, Dean Lonergan, Clayton Friend, Duane Mann, Francis Leota, Hugh McGahan.

Source:http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=...n-earthquake-charity-game-20110301-1bcmm.html

 

[Sharky Pete]

Amputee Tawera Nikau in brave quake comeback
Nick Walshaw
From: The Daily Telegraph
March 02, 2011 12:00AM

TAWERA Nikau reckons the problem isn't playing with an artificial leg.

"No, it's chasing one," the New Zealand Test legend grins. "And every time I'm involved in one of these matches, when my leg comes off in a tackle or whatever, somebody always throws it away.

"Which is guaranteed to get a good laugh, of course. But then I've gotta go hop after the bloody thing."

Of all the footballers set to make headlines for being legless this winter, none will bring rugby league down quite like Tawera Nuieia Nikau lifts it up.

This inspiring amputee who coaches, commentates and has fought in charity boxing bouts. Has run the New York Marathon, too.

An unstoppable force who now, at age 44, is reviving his career alongside fellow Kiwi greats Gary Freeman, Ruben Wiki, Stacey Jones and Nigel Vagana.

Eight years after having his right leg amputated following a serious motorcycle accident, Nikau is among 30 league legends starring in a charity match for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

And, oh, the memories that it conjures up.

Reviving images of an NRL enforcer with a mullet to rival John Stamos; eyes capable of staring down The Duke.

Whose 80 minutes were spent exactly as you'd expect of a fella who, when told that busted leg would require years in hospital, years away from his kids, simply shrugged and said: "OK . . . cut it off."

"But how could anyone not be involved in this?" Nikau asked The Daily Telegraph last night.

"There are so many people over here doing it tough right now, I think everyone in the country has been affected in some way.

"So as soon as Gary Freeman approached me about it, I was on board."

Indeed, it's a similar story for a growing list of retirees including David Kidwell, Tea Ropati and Hugh McGahan; Olsen Filipaina, Sean Hoppe and Kurt Sorensen.

Aussies David Peachey and Mario Fenech are also lining up alongside recent NRL retirees Nathan Cayless and Luke Covell.

But the biggest story of them all is Nikau.

This unbreakable Waikato boy who chases limbs and cops legless jokes, but can at least run on to Mount Smart Stadium next Thursday with his chances of a calf muscle tear halved, right?

"That's true, good point," Nikau laughs. "I'm also hoping organisers give me a pair of gold shorts or something like they use in the Masters Games.

"After all, I'm not exactly as quick as I used to be."

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...e-quake-comeback/story-e6frexnr-1226014360433

 

[pandapat]

Good on you Tawera, was my favourite player growing up.

 

[slide rule]

An old favorite of mine. What a champ! :cheers

 

[Sharky Pete]

Good on you Tawera, was my favourite player growing up.

Was one of my faves a kid as well.

Was alongside ET and Richie Barnett as my heroes at the time.

I noticed we got overlooked when they mentioned that league fans remember him as a Melbourne player which is stupid as he played most of his career with us.

 

[ABshark]

I noticed we got overlooked when they mentioned that league fans remember him as a Melbourne player which is stupid as he played most of his career with us.

Haha. Well played Pete.

 

[SHARKSTER]

He is a legend. Loved him at the Sharks and still when he left us and went to Melbourne. He was one of those guys that you just had to admire. Even in adversity after his career, he shows that amazing never give up courage. You're a champion Tawera!

 

[stormshark]

Met him and his GF at a Storm function last year, had a good chat to him, was very obliging. Runs a successful construction business, and recall helps disadvantaged kids in NZ. His book "Standing Tall" is a good read.

 

[Bundy Shark]

Met him and his GF at a Storm function last year, had a good chat to him, was very obliging. Runs a successful construction business, and recall helps disadvantaged kids in NZ. His book "Standing Tall" is a good read.

agree stormshark, he is a top bloke to talk with, I must buy his book

 

[BUZ]

For those interested in Tawera Nikau's book:

Standing Tall: The Tawera Nikau Story
Richard Becht

Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN-13: 9781869505332
Published: 2004

Tawera Nikau is an exceptional athlete and veteran of international rugby league at the highest levels, with a faithful following of fans in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom.

His career on the field has been spectacular, but events off the field have created an air of intrigue, especially his well-documented antagonism towards fellow Kiwi international Richie Blackmore – to the extent that he refused a spot on the New Zealand team if it meant playing alongside Blackmore. The tragic suicide of his wife, Lutetia and his recent motorcycle accident [2003] which resulted in the amputation of his right leg, have seen him occupy more than a few headlines.

Undaunted, he has risen above his own personal loss and tragedy to become an inspirational figure, through his fight back to physical fitness and competitive sport, setting himself a personal goal to become a Paralympian, to his work with troubled youth in his hometown of Huntley, NZ, through the funding and establishment of a gym and training facility. He is also giving something back to league, and is coaching a Huntley-based team in the national league competition in 2004.

His story of life at the top of his sport, and the personal cost of his career and the challenges he has had to overcome, make for a gripping and revealing biography of an inspirational New Zealander.

http://www.bookworm.com.au/Book/Standing-Tall-The-Tawera-Nikau-Story-9781869505332.aspx

 

[shark23]

I just happen to be in Auckland all next week for work and will be attending the earthquake game.... excited to see Tawera run around!!

 

[Bundy Shark]

For those interested in Tawera Nikau's book:

Standing Tall: The Tawera Nikau Story
Richard Becht

Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN-13: 9781869505332
Published: 2004



http://www.bookworm.com.au/Book/Standing-Tall-The-Tawera-Nikau-Story-9781869505332.aspx

thanks Buz, going to buy it tomorrow