12 hours ago
'A lot fitter than me': Knights NRLW forward ignites a Newcastle rugby career
Tomas Aoake reckons there is nothing like watching his partner, Knights NRLW forward, Grace Kukutai play live.
For the past four years, the sporting guns have lived on opposite sides of the world.
Aoake, 29, plays Major League Rugby for San Diego and last Saturday made his debut for the Hunter Wildfires in the Shute Shield.
Kukutai was a professional netballer in New Zealand, before switching to rugby union and playing Super W for the Waikato Chiefs.
Last year, the athletic 28-year-old swapped codes and is gearing up for a second season with the Knights in the NRLW.
"We have been together almost 11 years and have been a part for large periods," Aoake said. "It's good to be playing in the same place.
"We do a lot of training together in the off-season. She is a lot fitter than me. She keeps me accountable on that front.
"I have been helping her out with skills work. I came from a rugby league background. I was in the Warriors system for three years out of school and then transitioned to rugby.
"I love watching her play, especially live. If Grace knows I'm in the stands, she pushes that litttle bit harder."
The long-term partner's debuts for Newcastle were vastly different.
Kukutai was concussed in a crunching tackle by Roosters and Jillaroos prop Millie Elliott in the season-opener last season, and spent most of the campaign helping the Knights' reserve-grade team make the NSW Premiership grand final
Aoake, playing off the bench, scored a try with his first touch in a 27-26 triumph over Randwick last Saturday.
"He literally arrived on Sunday and played the next Saturday," Kukutai said. "He only got 20 minutes, but with his first touch he scored. He's so annoying ... he's actually the most humble person."
Kukutai is expected to play a bigger role in the Knights' NRLW squad this season, starting against Canterbury at Accor Stadium on July 4.
Aoake will make his run-on debut for the Wildfires at outside centre in place of Veni Vahai (shoulder) against Western Sydney at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday.
He will play out the season with Wildfires before returning to San Diego for the 2026 MLR season.
"Our coach at San Diego, John Manenti was the Aussie Sevens coach and knew Darren Coleman was here at the Wildfires," Aoake said.
Kukutai is enjoying the time the pair have together.
"I think the Wildfires finish up in August, and who knows what will happen after that, but it's just nice for a few months," she said. "Just just having that support at home. You miss it a little bit being away from family and friends."
Aoke's arrival has been timely for the Wildfires, who have lost Sione Taufui (mouth) and Vahai (shoulder) to injury in consecutive weeks.
"He has come from a high standard," head coach Scott Coleman said. "He is contracted to San Diego and played for Auckland in the NPC. He has good skills and a high rugby IQ."
Aoake is one of three changes from the win over Randwick.
Mesu Kunavuala comes in at lock for Kirk Tufuga (concussion) and Elyjah Crosswell replaces Danny Maiava (hamstring) on the side of the scrum.
The Wallabies squad are based in Newcastle from Friday in the lead-up to the Test against Fiji (July 6) and will hold a meet and greet session for fans at the Wildfires' game.
Tomas Aoake reckons there is nothing like watching his partner, Knights NRLW forward, Grace Kukutai play live.
For the past four years, the sporting guns have lived on opposite sides of the world.
Aoake, 29, plays Major League Rugby for San Diego and last Saturday made his debut for the Hunter Wildfires in the Shute Shield.
Kukutai was a professional netballer in New Zealand, before switching to rugby union and playing Super W for the Waikato Chiefs.
Last year, the athletic 28-year-old swapped codes and is gearing up for a second season with the Knights in the NRLW.
"We have been together almost 11 years and have been a part for large periods," Aoake said. "It's good to be playing in the same place.
"We do a lot of training together in the off-season. She is a lot fitter than me. She keeps me accountable on that front.
"I have been helping her out with skills work. I came from a rugby league background. I was in the Warriors system for three years out of school and then transitioned to rugby.
"I love watching her play, especially live. If Grace knows I'm in the stands, she pushes that litttle bit harder."
The long-term partner's debuts for Newcastle were vastly different.
Kukutai was concussed in a crunching tackle by Roosters and Jillaroos prop Millie Elliott in the season-opener last season, and spent most of the campaign helping the Knights' reserve-grade team make the NSW Premiership grand final
Aoake, playing off the bench, scored a try with his first touch in a 27-26 triumph over Randwick last Saturday.
"He literally arrived on Sunday and played the next Saturday," Kukutai said. "He only got 20 minutes, but with his first touch he scored. He's so annoying ... he's actually the most humble person."
Kukutai is expected to play a bigger role in the Knights' NRLW squad this season, starting against Canterbury at Accor Stadium on July 4.
Aoake will make his run-on debut for the Wildfires at outside centre in place of Veni Vahai (shoulder) against Western Sydney at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday.
He will play out the season with Wildfires before returning to San Diego for the 2026 MLR season.
"Our coach at San Diego, John Manenti was the Aussie Sevens coach and knew Darren Coleman was here at the Wildfires," Aoake said.
Kukutai is enjoying the time the pair have together.
"I think the Wildfires finish up in August, and who knows what will happen after that, but it's just nice for a few months," she said. "Just just having that support at home. You miss it a little bit being away from family and friends."
Aoke's arrival has been timely for the Wildfires, who have lost Sione Taufui (mouth) and Vahai (shoulder) to injury in consecutive weeks.
"He has come from a high standard," head coach Scott Coleman said. "He is contracted to San Diego and played for Auckland in the NPC. He has good skills and a high rugby IQ."
Aoake is one of three changes from the win over Randwick.
Mesu Kunavuala comes in at lock for Kirk Tufuga (concussion) and Elyjah Crosswell replaces Danny Maiava (hamstring) on the side of the scrum.
The Wallabies squad are based in Newcastle from Friday in the lead-up to the Test against Fiji (July 6) and will hold a meet and greet session for fans at the Wildfires' game.
Tomas Aoake reckons there is nothing like watching his partner, Knights NRLW forward, Grace Kukutai play live.
For the past four years, the sporting guns have lived on opposite sides of the world.
Aoake, 29, plays Major League Rugby for San Diego and last Saturday made his debut for the Hunter Wildfires in the Shute Shield.
Kukutai was a professional netballer in New Zealand, before switching to rugby union and playing Super W for the Waikato Chiefs.
Last year, the athletic 28-year-old swapped codes and is gearing up for a second season with the Knights in the NRLW.
"We have been together almost 11 years and have been a part for large periods," Aoake said. "It's good to be playing in the same place.
"We do a lot of training together in the off-season. She is a lot fitter than me. She keeps me accountable on that front.
"I have been helping her out with skills work. I came from a rugby league background. I was in the Warriors system for three years out of school and then transitioned to rugby.
"I love watching her play, especially live. If Grace knows I'm in the stands, she pushes that litttle bit harder."
The long-term partner's debuts for Newcastle were vastly different.
Kukutai was concussed in a crunching tackle by Roosters and Jillaroos prop Millie Elliott in the season-opener last season, and spent most of the campaign helping the Knights' reserve-grade team make the NSW Premiership grand final
Aoake, playing off the bench, scored a try with his first touch in a 27-26 triumph over Randwick last Saturday.
"He literally arrived on Sunday and played the next Saturday," Kukutai said. "He only got 20 minutes, but with his first touch he scored. He's so annoying ... he's actually the most humble person."
Kukutai is expected to play a bigger role in the Knights' NRLW squad this season, starting against Canterbury at Accor Stadium on July 4.
Aoake will make his run-on debut for the Wildfires at outside centre in place of Veni Vahai (shoulder) against Western Sydney at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday.
He will play out the season with Wildfires before returning to San Diego for the 2026 MLR season.
"Our coach at San Diego, John Manenti was the Aussie Sevens coach and knew Darren Coleman was here at the Wildfires," Aoake said.
Kukutai is enjoying the time the pair have together.
"I think the Wildfires finish up in August, and who knows what will happen after that, but it's just nice for a few months," she said. "Just just having that support at home. You miss it a little bit being away from family and friends."
Aoke's arrival has been timely for the Wildfires, who have lost Sione Taufui (mouth) and Vahai (shoulder) to injury in consecutive weeks.
"He has come from a high standard," head coach Scott Coleman said. "He is contracted to San Diego and played for Auckland in the NPC. He has good skills and a high rugby IQ."
Aoake is one of three changes from the win over Randwick.
Mesu Kunavuala comes in at lock for Kirk Tufuga (concussion) and Elyjah Crosswell replaces Danny Maiava (hamstring) on the side of the scrum.
The Wallabies squad are based in Newcastle from Friday in the lead-up to the Test against Fiji (July 6) and will hold a meet and greet session for fans at the Wildfires' game.
Tomas Aoake reckons there is nothing like watching his partner, Knights NRLW forward, Grace Kukutai play live.
For the past four years, the sporting guns have lived on opposite sides of the world.
Aoake, 29, plays Major League Rugby for San Diego and last Saturday made his debut for the Hunter Wildfires in the Shute Shield.
Kukutai was a professional netballer in New Zealand, before switching to rugby union and playing Super W for the Waikato Chiefs.
Last year, the athletic 28-year-old swapped codes and is gearing up for a second season with the Knights in the NRLW.
"We have been together almost 11 years and have been a part for large periods," Aoake said. "It's good to be playing in the same place.
"We do a lot of training together in the off-season. She is a lot fitter than me. She keeps me accountable on that front.
"I have been helping her out with skills work. I came from a rugby league background. I was in the Warriors system for three years out of school and then transitioned to rugby.
"I love watching her play, especially live. If Grace knows I'm in the stands, she pushes that litttle bit harder."
The long-term partner's debuts for Newcastle were vastly different.
Kukutai was concussed in a crunching tackle by Roosters and Jillaroos prop Millie Elliott in the season-opener last season, and spent most of the campaign helping the Knights' reserve-grade team make the NSW Premiership grand final
Aoake, playing off the bench, scored a try with his first touch in a 27-26 triumph over Randwick last Saturday.
"He literally arrived on Sunday and played the next Saturday," Kukutai said. "He only got 20 minutes, but with his first touch he scored. He's so annoying ... he's actually the most humble person."
Kukutai is expected to play a bigger role in the Knights' NRLW squad this season, starting against Canterbury at Accor Stadium on July 4.
Aoake will make his run-on debut for the Wildfires at outside centre in place of Veni Vahai (shoulder) against Western Sydney at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday.
He will play out the season with Wildfires before returning to San Diego for the 2026 MLR season.
"Our coach at San Diego, John Manenti was the Aussie Sevens coach and knew Darren Coleman was here at the Wildfires," Aoake said.
Kukutai is enjoying the time the pair have together.
"I think the Wildfires finish up in August, and who knows what will happen after that, but it's just nice for a few months," she said. "Just just having that support at home. You miss it a little bit being away from family and friends."
Aoke's arrival has been timely for the Wildfires, who have lost Sione Taufui (mouth) and Vahai (shoulder) to injury in consecutive weeks.
"He has come from a high standard," head coach Scott Coleman said. "He is contracted to San Diego and played for Auckland in the NPC. He has good skills and a high rugby IQ."
Aoake is one of three changes from the win over Randwick.
Mesu Kunavuala comes in at lock for Kirk Tufuga (concussion) and Elyjah Crosswell replaces Danny Maiava (hamstring) on the side of the scrum.
The Wallabies squad are based in Newcastle from Friday in the lead-up to the Test against Fiji (July 6) and will hold a meet and greet session for fans at the Wildfires' game.
