TAWERA Nikau has revealed why he has decided to continue his playing career with Warrington Wolves.

'T' and his two children, Heaven and Tyme, returned this week from New Zealand, after he had taken home his 36-year-old wife Letitia for her funeral.

After only one training session on Tuesday morning Tawera was thrown straight back into the first team limelight last night, Wednesay, when the Wolves were in action at defeated Challenge Cup finalists Bradford Bulls.

Tawera revealed: "It wasn't too difficult a decision to come back to the club and play.

"The kids are now back at school and I wanted them to finish the year off at school so it was a good decision for that reason.

"But coming back to play is the professional thing to do. My wife would rather have seen me finish my job off than do something half-hearted. So in that sense I thought it was important to finish my contract off here."

'T', aged 34, has had an illustrious career which included the pinnacle of winning the Grand Final in Australia with Melbourne Storm prior to joining the Wolves in 2000. For such a career to have ended following the tragic circumstances surrounding Letitia's death would have been a shame, although understandable.

The former New Zealand Test international said: "It would have been very disappointing if my career had ended like that.

"I think my wife Letitia would be happy for me to finish the season off so that's what I'm going to do."

Since Letitia's death on April 5 the Nikau family have received tremendous support from everyone involved in the game.

Tawera said: "The support has been fantastic from all over. There have been so many cards, letters and messages and I would like to thank all the supporters who have given us support."

Wolves coach Darryl Van de Velde was delighted that Tawera had elected to play again.

He said: "Tawera is a great asset to the club. His enthusiasm is contagious and it is great to have him around the place. It really shows the strength of depth of character of the guy in that he is back to fulfil his obligation with the club. I've got the utmost respect for him."