Multi-talented Elijah Niko turned his homecoming into a personal celebration by scoring four tries for the Vodafone Junior Warriors in their 74-4 trial win against the Hawke’s Bay Unicorns in Napier today (Saturday).
Educated at St John’s College, the 18-year-old excelled in front of family and friends as the Vodafone Junior Warriors racked up their second big preseason win in less than 48 hours.
On Thursday night they cleared away from a Waikato Selection to win 38-6 in Hamilton before heading to Napier for another hit-out ahead of their 2009 NYC campaign.
Niko signed with the Vodafone Junior Warriors last year and was soon joined at the club by his younger brother Kenny.
Today the older of the siblings underlined why he’s seen as yet another of the exciting new faces expected to make an impact for the Vodafone Junior Warriors this year.
Able to play in the second row or at prop, Niko played Bartercard Cup football for the Central Falcons and he’s also an outstanding volleyball player, making the New Zealand Under-17 team in 2006.
While he was the standout performer in today’s trial, there were strong displays from centre Rusty Bristow – also outstanding in Hamilton on Thursday night – as well as hooker Alehana Mara, new prop Luke Laban and standoff Simon Gibson.
Several players backed up after appearing in Hamilton as the Vodafone Junior Warriors scored 13 tries in all.
Match details:
At Park Island, Napier
Vodafone Junior Warriors 74 (Elijah Niko 4, Alehana Mara 2, Jason Cook, Bill Tupou, Gowan Duff, Kyle Bos, Rusty Bristow, Siuatonga Likiliki, Kevin Locke tries; Kevin Locke 5 conversions; Brandon Nixon 3 conversions; Kurt Kara 3 conversions).
Hawkes Bay Unicorns 4 (Pen Pilamo try). Halftime: 38-0.
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