Kiwi-NRL Spotlight: The Peta Hiku Resurgence
The latest NRL player to enjoy a post-Warriors glow up is North Queensland Cowboys centre Peta Hiku. Hiku is cruising along with the 10-4 Cowboys after linking up with coach Todd Payten in Townsville as Payten hunted experienced troopers to add to the young crop of vibrant Cowboys. Hiku and halfback Chad Townsend didn't seem like the best signings heading into the season, yet their experience and class is proving to be beneficial.
Hiku has played all 14 games this season as a starting centre with 3 tries, 6 try assists and 33 tackle busts. There is a decent chance that Hiku hits his previous best try assist tally of 10 in 2019 with NZ Warriors. Hiku registered the most tries and linebreaks in a season (17 and 15) in 2014 with Sea Eagles where he plugged various holes in the backline, shining on the wing.
The knock on Hiku has always been his defence and while he isn't a defensive maestro with Cowboys, Hiku does his job in one of the best defensive teams in the NRL. Prior to this round of footy, Cowboys were joined by Storm and Panthers as the only teams who have conceded less than 200 points.
Hiku's 82.52 percent tackle efficiency is the best of his 10 seasons which suggests improved mahi with Cowboys, yet Hiku also had two seasons of 81 percent tackle efficiency with Warriors. Hiku also had two seasons below 76 percent with Warriors. All of which aligns nicely with Hiku's winning percentage; 80+ percent tackle efficiency delivers 60+ percent wins.
This is Hiku's best tackling season and his most winning season, with a top-three defensive team. Hiku is also averaging a career-best 141m/game and his seasons with Sea Eagles are his next best for running mahi. Hiku never averaged more than 125m/game with Warriors and all of this combines for the best season of his career since his Sea Eagles tenure.
Perfect timing as Aotearoa Kiwis have an intriguing blend of lads competing for starting centre minutes. Joseph Manu is the best Aotearoa centre and I've got Manu down as the best Aotearoa fullback option. If Manu plays fullback for Aotearoa then Hiku should be a starting centre, while an alternative could be Te Maire Martin at fullback with Manu and Hiku as the centres. However this is sliced, Hiku is a top-two Aotearoa Kiwis centre right now.
Hiku hasn't played for Aotearoa since 2018, generally coinciding with his move to NZ Warriors. Joining Warriors appears to hinder Aotearoa selection and Shaun Johnson may be the latest victim there, which is also amplified by the post-Warriors glow up that folks like Hiku are making the most of.
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