Māori pathway on display at NRL All Stars

While the stage will be significantly bigger this time around, for eight of the players taking the field for the Māori All Stars on Saturday, the experience will be a familiar one after growing up representing their iwi on the rugby league field. 

Men's All Stars Jordan Riki, Hayze Perham, Tukimihia Simpkins, Morgan Harper and Austin Dias, along with female counterparts Mya Hill-Moana, Destiny Brill and Capri Paekau are all graduates of the Aotearoa NZ Māori Rugby League pathway.

The system is made up of grades for Tamariki (ages 10-12), Teina (ages 13-14), and Rangatahi (ages 15, 17, 19), with boys and girls involved at all levels. 

All up last year, there were around 4500 players taking part across the three tournaments, making it one of the biggest pathway systems in Australasia. 

For men's Māori coach Ben Gardiner, the chance to bring those graduates through to the biggest stage is one of the most exciting aspects about the NRL Harvey Norman All Stars.  

"The great thing about that is that there is actually the ability for kids to see their dream," Gardiner said. 

You play as a kid at the park in the junior tournament and you’re hoping one day that you can play in the NRL, and then to not only play in the NRL but play in the All Stars. I think that’s a pretty impressive story for kids coming through.

Ben Gardiner

"I am really excited about that story and those guys getting to go out and play in front of their families for the first time as All Stars on home soil.

"In my conversations with them when I told them they were named in the team, that was one of the key things that was spoken about, that full circle. It’s quite amazing really isn’t it?

"They are so excited about it and to represent their iwi and whānau in front of all the people they have done it with growing up."

It will be an extra special occasion for the likes of Simpkins and Shanice Parker, who will be representing the local iwi Te Arawa, while others like women's players Mya Hill-Moana and Harata Butler, along with male counterparts Jordan Riki and Morgan Harper, will represent neighbouring iwi Tainui. 

"Growing up I played for Waikato Māori and I was always so proud doing the haka and taking on boys from other areas," Harper said. 

"Those competitions were mean, you always looked forward to them.

"It means a lot to Māori people and now to be back here, playing for New Zealand Māori at home, it's amazing."