When Marata Niukore needs inspiration in his football, he only needs to look to his wife Nikki.Nikki was one of New Zealand's most promising swimmers a few years ago when struck down by a devastating illness.She contracted a severe but rare disease known as ulcerative colitis, which put her life in the balance.Emergency surgery resulted in her having her colon removed and she was forced to wear a colostomy bag to drain her bodily waste.She survived and was told she was out of danger, before the disease returned, reducing her life to a nightmare series of recurring visits to hospital and multiple operations.Setback after setback has only brought the pair closer - and they are soon expecting their third child."She is my rock, my inspiration," Niukore told Wide World of Sports."We had a dream - me playing NRL and her going to the Olympics."Hers was cruelly taken away and she has fought so many brave battles."She has also given up a lot to make my footy dreams come true and I can't thank Nikki enough."She has her tough days and I try to help her through them and ease her pain.""Away from family and friends in New Zealand, the Niukores have found themselves a couple of willing babysitters in Eels coach Brad Arthur and his wife Michelle."They have been a godsend for us," Niukore says.
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