Peta Hiku

{{Infobox rugby league biography

| name = Peta Hiku

| fullname =

| image = Peta Hiku Kiwis.jpg

| imagesize =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1992|12|4}}

| birth_place = Gisborne, New Zealand

| height = {{convert|181|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|94|kg|stlb|0|abbr=on}}

| position = {{rlp|CE|WG|FB}}

| club1 = {{nowrap|Manly Sea Eagles}}

| year1start = 2013

| year1end = 15

| appearances1 = 60

| tries1 = 28

| goals1 = 3

| fieldgoals1 = 0

| points1 = 118

| club2 = Penrith Panthers

| year2start = 2016

| year2end = 17

| appearances2 = 20

| tries2 = 6

| goals2 = 0

| fieldgoals2 = 0

| points2 = 24

| club3 = Warrington Wolves

| year3start = 2017

| year3end =

| appearances3 = 11

| tries3 = 10

| goals3 = 0

| fieldgoals3 = 0

| points3 = 40

| club4 = {{nowrap|New Zealand Warriors}}

| year4start = 2018

| year4end = 21

| appearances4 = 73

| tries4 = 19

| goals4 = 0

| fieldgoals4 = 0

| points4 = 76

| club5 = {{nowrap|North Qld Cowboys}}

| year5start = 2022

| year5end = 23

| appearances5 = 48

| tries5 = 7

| goals5 = 0

| fieldgoals5 = 0

| points5 = 28

| club6 = Hull Kingston Rovers

| year6start = 2024

| year6end = present

| appearances6 = 53

| tries6 = 24

| goals6 = 1

| fieldgoals6 = 0

| points6 = 66

| teamA = New Zealand

| yearAstart = 2014

| yearAend = present

| appearancesA = 17

| triesA = 7

| goalsA = 0

| fieldgoalsA = 0

| pointsA = 28

| teamB = Māori All Stars

| yearBstart = 2019

| yearBend =

| appearancesB = 1

| triesB = 0

| goalsB = 0

| fieldgoalsB = 0

| pointsB = 0

| retired = no

| source = {{Cite web|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/stats/players|title=Players|website=LoveRugbyLeague|accessdate=12 May 2023}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/peter-hiku/summary.html|title=Peta Hiku – Career Stats & Summary|publisher=Rugby League Project|access-date=2015-09-26}}

| updated = 6 July 2025

}}

Peta Hiku (born 4 December 1992) is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|ce|wg}}er and {{rlp|fb}} for Hull KR in the 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

Hiku was born in Gisborne, New Zealand, and is of Māori descent.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

Hiku played his junior football for the Manurewa Marlins and represented the Counties Manukau Stingrays in the National Competition.{{cite web |url=http://nzrl.co.nz/news-archive/sky-to-showcase-rising-stars.aspx |title=NZRL |website=nzrl.co.nz |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121143704/http://nzrl.co.nz/news-archive/sky-to-showcase-rising-stars.aspx |archive-date=21 January 2015 |url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://rleague.com/players/Peter-Hiku_3668/Matches/ |title=Peter Hiku |website=rleague.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421064633/http://rleague.com/players/Peter-Hiku_3668/Matches/ |archive-date=21 April 2014}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/junior-kangaroos-put-junior-kangaroos-to-sword-with-48-16-drubbing-in-townsville-test-curtain-raiser/story-e6frf3ou-1226495058676|title=Junior Kangaroos Put To Sword|publisher=Foxsports.com.au|access-date=2015-09-26}}

Playing career

=2013=

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 {{rlp|fb}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/manly-v-sharks-match-report/story-e6frexnr-1226620165845|title=Manly v Sharks Match Report|publisher=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2015-09-26}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/sydney-roosters-repel-manly-sea-eagles-in-epic-battle/story-fn2mcuj6-1226719240243|title=Roosters Repel Sea Eagles in Epic battle|publisher=Foxsports.com.au|access-date=2015-09-26}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/live-coverage-of-nrl-semi-final-clash-between-manly-sea-eagles-and-cronulla-sharks/story-fni3fbgz-1226723885704|title=Live Coverage of Manly Sea Eagles and Cronulla Sharks|publisher=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2015-09-26}}

File:Peta Hiku.jpg

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|date=April 2022}}

=2014=

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11245218|title=League: Six rookies among Anzac Kiwis - Sport - NZ Herald News|publisher=Nzherald.co.nz|access-date=2015-09-25}}{{cite web|author=Phil Mitchell|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/rugby-league-match-centre/australia-v-new-zealand-20140502-37ncb.html|title=Australia v New Zealand|date=2 May 2014|publisher=Smh.com.au|access-date=2015-09-25}} 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.{{cite web|author=Adrian Proszenko|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/manly-offers-peta-hiku-a-new-threeyear-deal-but-rival-clubs-circle-20140404-zqqrt.html|title=Manly offers Peta Hiku a new three-year deal, but rival clubs circle|publisher=Smh.com.au|date=2014-04-04|access-date=2015-09-25}} 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.{{cite web|author=Adrian Proszenko|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/warriors-offer-peta-hiku-1m-to-trump-manly-and-canterbury-20140412-zqtye.html|title=Warriors offer Peta Hiku $1m to trump Manly and Canterbury|publisher=Smh.com.au|date=2014-04-12|access-date=2015-09-25}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://leagueunlimited.com/news/nz-kiwi-four-nations-train-on-squad-announcement|title=NZ Kiwi Four Nations train-on squad announcement|publisher=League Unlimited|date=2014-09-23|access-date=2015-09-25}} On 7 October 2014, Hiku was selected in New Zealand's final 24 man squad for the Four Nations.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/four-rookies-in-kiwis-four-nations-squad/tabid/10874/newsid/82419/default.aspx|title=Four rookies in Kiwis Four Nations squad|publisher=NRL.com|access-date=2015-09-25|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923193201/http://www.nrl.com/four-rookies-in-kiwis-four-nations-squad/tabid/10874/newsid/82419/default.aspx |archive-date=2015-09-23}}{{cite web|url=http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/new-zealand-name-four-nations-squad-15237/|title=New Zealand name Four Nations squad | NRL|publisher=Zero Tackle|date=2014-10-07|access-date=2015-09-25}} 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.{{cite web|author=Michael Carayannis|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/new-zealand-hand-australias-young-guns-a-reality-check-in-four-nations-20141025-11bu86.html|title=New Zealand hand Australia's young guns a reality check in Four Nations|date=25 October 2014|publisher=Smh.com.au|access-date=2015-09-25}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/four-nations-2014-new-zealand-champions-after-defeating-australia-2218-in-wellington/story-fni3fbgz-1227124298670|title=New Zealand Champions after Defeating Australia 22-18|publisher=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2015-09-26}}

=2015=

On 31 January and 1 February, Hiku played for Manly-Warringah in the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines.{{cite web|url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/sea-eagles-unveil-2015-nines-squad/|title=SEA EAGLES UNVEIL 2015 NINES SQUAD|publisher=Rugby League Week|date=2015-01-23|access-date=2015-09-25|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716054235/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/sea-eagles-unveil-2015-nines-squad/|archive-date=2015-07-16}} 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.{{cite web|author=Chris Barrett|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-match-report/new-zealand-kiwis-claim-third-straight-win-over-australian-kangaroos-for-first-time-since-1953-20150503-1mywnp.html|title=New Zealand Kiwis claim third straight win over Australian Kangaroos for first time since 1953|date=3 May 2015|publisher=Smh.com.au|access-date=2015-09-25}} Hiku finished the 2015 season having played in 22 matches, scoring 8 tries and kicking 3 goals for Manly-Warringah.{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/MTQtMTY2MC00LS0tLS0tMjAzNTItLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0t|title=Custom Match List|publisher=Rugby League Project|date=2015-10-21|access-date=2015-12-09}} On 8 September, he was named in the New Zealand Kiwis training squad for their tour of Great Britain.{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/league/news/article.cfm?c_id=79&objectid=11509658|title=League: Kiwis to manage Mannering's workload on England tour - Rugby League - NZ Herald News|publisher=Nzherald.co.nz|access-date=2015-09-25}} He was a shock selection at five-eighth, playing in all three matches against England in the Kiwis' 2-1 Baskerville Shield series loss.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/73989190/kiwis-fiveeighth-peta-hiku-challenged-throughout-kiwis-tour|title=Kiwis five-eighth Peta Hiku challenged throughout Kiwis tour|website=Stuff.co.nz|date=2015-11-13|access-date=2015-12-09}} In November, he was told by Manly's new incoming coach Trent Barrett that he was free to look for another club.{{cite web|author=Brad Walter|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/south-sydney-rabbitohs/sea-eagles-back-peta-hiku-linked-to-rabbitohs-in-swap-for-dylan-walker-20151122-gl4x7j.html|title=Sea Eagles back Peta Hiku linked to Rabbitohs in swap for Dylan Walker|website=Smh.com.au|date=22 November 2015|access-date=2015-12-09}} He was linked with the Penrith Panthers, Parramatta Eels, South Sydney Rabbitohs and St. George Illawarra Dragons,{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/manlys-peta-hiku-has-interest-from-three-clubs-eels-place-formal-offer/story-fni3gnk1-1227632892926?login=1|title=Manly's Peta Hiku Has Interest From Three Clubs; Eels Place Formal Offer|website=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2015-12-09}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/panthers-swoop-for-hiku-19937/|title=Panthers swoop for Hiku | NRL|publisher=Zero Tackle|date=2015-11-07|access-date=2015-12-09}}{{cite web|author=Adrian Proszenko and Michael Carayannis|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/penrith-panthers/penrith-panthers-sign-peta-hiku-from-manly-sea-eagles-20151209-glj7b7.html|title=Penrith Panthers sign Peta Hiku from Manly Sea Eagles|website=Smh.com.au|date=9 December 2015|access-date=2015-12-09}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/panthers-beat-rivals-to-secure-peta-hiku-on-three-year-deal/story-fni3gfvk-1227639089906|title=Panthers Beat Rivals to Secure Peta Hiku on Three Year Deal|website=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2015-12-09}}

=2016=

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/injuries-strike-as-raiders-edge-panthers/tabid/10874/newsid/93464/default.aspx|title=Injuries strike as Raiders edge Panthers|date=5 March 2016|publisher=NRL.com|access-date=2016-03-06}} In Round 11 against the Gold Coast Titans, Hiku suffered a season ending knee injury in Penrith's 28-24 loss at Penrith Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/tyrone-peachey-brain-snap-sums-up-poor-performance-from-penrith-panthers-in-loss-to-titans/news-story/b49e7342bcb4921fed556d1ad40e4bb9 |title=Tyrone Peachey Brain Snap Sums Up Poor Performance From Penrith Panthers in Loss to Titans |website=Dailytelegrpah.com.au |access-date=2017-03-30}} 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.

File:Peta Hiku Warriors.jpg

=2017=

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.{{cite web|author=Scott Bailey |url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/panthers/penrith-winger-peta-hiku-furious-over-russell-packer-eyesocket-hit/news-story/2670da549ddd117246506e00f81ff8c9 |title=Penrith winger Peta Hiku 'furious' over Russell Packer eye-socket hit |website=News.com.au |date=2017-03-22 |access-date=2017-03-30}} 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.{{cite web|author=John Dean |url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/live-nrl-penrith-panthers-v-sydney-roosters-scores-updates-blog/news-story/682881f8e03e13130cbeb307ed3a111b |title=NRL 2017: Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters score, report |work=Fox Sports |date=2017-03-18 |access-date=2017-03-30}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/93838147/former-kiwis-fullback-peta-hiku-departs-penrith-panthers|title=Former Kiwis fullback Peta Hiku departs Penrith Panthers|date=19 June 2017}} 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.{{cite web| url = http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2017/09/warrington-wolves-release-peta-hiku-freeing-probable-move-to-the-new-zealand-warriors.html| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170913023754/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2017/09/warrington-wolves-release-peta-hiku-freeing-probable-move-to-the-new-zealand-warriors.html| archive-date = 2017-09-13| title = Warrington Wolves release Peta Hiku freeing probable move to the New Zealand Warriors}} On 5 October 2017, Hiku was named in the 24-man New Zealand Kiwis squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2017/10/05/kiwis-world-cup-squad-named/|title = Kiwis World Cup squad named|date = 5 October 2017}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11940530|title = 74-6: Kiwis absolutely annihilate Scotland}}

=2018=

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/03/06/south-sydney-rabbitohs-v-new-zealand-warriors-nrl-match-preview-round-1/|title=Rabbitohs v Warriors: Inglis at centre, Kearney names new faces|date=5 March 2018}}

=2019=

Hiku made 23 appearances for New Zealand in the 2019 NRL season. The club missed the finals finishing 13th.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

=2020=

Hiku made 18 appearances for New Zealand in the 2020 NRL season as the club missed out on the finals.{{cite web|url=https://nothingbutleague.com/2020/11/13/2020-season-review-new-zealand-warriors/|title=2020 NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS TEAM REVIEW|website=nothingbutleague.com|date=13 November 2020}}

=2021=

On 11 May, Hiku was ruled out for the remainder of the 2021 NRL season with a shoulder injury.{{cite web|url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/warriors/125095385/warriors-wonder-kid-reece-walsh-left-on-bench-for-parramatta-eels-clash-peta-hiku-gone-for-season/|title=Warriors wonder kid Reece Walsh left on bench for Parramatta Eels clash, Peta Hiku gone for season|website=i.stuff.co.nz|date=11 May 2021}} On 24 May, it was announced Hiku signed a two-year deal with North Queensland starting in 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/05/24/hiku-switching-from-warriors-to-cowboys-on-two-year-deal/|title=Hiku switching from Warriors to Cowboys on two-year deal|website=nrl.com|date=24 May 2021}}

=2022=

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-finals-2022-brad-arthur-mitchell-moses-parramatta-eels-vs-north-queensland-cowboys-preliminary-final/news-story/40c6fab40479312a2dab062fc15ecebc/|title='See it in their eyes': The late-season pact and 'massive sacrifice' behind Eels surge|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=23 September 2022 }}

=2023=

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/nrl-judiciary-round-2-scott-drinkwater-corey-oates/un7hqmo5nqqm4z9jyjhjbs2s/|title=Scott Drinkwater hit with lengthy ban for Corey Oates hit, Peta Hiku suspended|website=www.sportingnews.com|date=11 March 2023 }}

On 21 May, Hiku signed a three-year contract to join English side Hull Kingston Rovers.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/65666296/|title=Peta Hiku: Hull KR sign New Zealand international on three-year contract from 2024|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}

=2024=

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/68304214/|title=Hull FC 0-22 Hull KR - Rovers win season opener as hosts have two sent off|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}

On 12 October 2024, Hiku played in Hull Kingston Rovers 2024 Super League Grand Final loss against Wigan.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2024/oct/12/wigan-v-hull-kr-super-league-grand-final-2024-live-score-updates?page=with:block-670aaacb8f087ed1d5a8a350/|title=Wigan v Hull KR: Super League Grand Final 2024 – as it happened|website=www.theguardian.com}}

=2025=

On 7 June, Hiku played in Hull Kingston Rovers 8-6 2025 Challenge Cup final victory over Warrington. It was the clubs first major trophy in 40 years.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0gnqllpxlo/|title=In pictures: Hull KR Challenge Cup victory parade|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}