{
  "id": 19902299,
  "title": "A friendship forged on the rugby league fields of New Zealand a century ago",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/14/a-friendship-forged-on-the-rugby-league-fields-of-new-zealand-a",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-14T02:15:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-14/qld-nz-rugby-league-world-cup-fans/107379782"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a century-old friendship, Awhina Hetet and Rita McRae Kingi reminisce on their shared bond in Brisbane, Australia. The two women, along with their families, initially met in the city after migrating from Rotorua and Marton in New Zealand. However, their familial ties can be traced back to a more profound connection that began over a century ago on the rugby league fields of New Zealand.\n\nAwhina's great-great-great grandfather, Hōne Taonui \"John\" Hetet, served as the team manager for the Māori All Stars in 1909. Similarly, Rita's great-great grandfather, Nirai Whareure \"Ned\" McRae, was a coach, captain, and player. Both men anglicised their names before embarking on their journey to Australia, a nation known for its union players.\n\nNew Zealand, at that time, was a nation of rugby players. When the Māori team ventured to Australia in 1909, they brought with them their unique culture, including the haka and their pride in their heritage. Accompanied by two guides, they aimed to showcase their identity and passion for the game. The guides, like Mākereti \"Maggie\" Papakura, a Māori-English translator who was later honored with a Master of Philosophy in Anthropology from the University of Oxford, played a crucial role in bridging cultures.\n\nAt the time, rugby league was facing financial struggles in Australia. Nevertheless, the epic clashes between Aussies and Kiwis drew crowds of over 30,000 people. The Māori team triumphed, bringing the cup back home to New Zealand, where it remains in the possession of Awhina's family, in an undisclosed location. The family cherishes the cup, recognizing it as one of the oldest rugby league trophies in existence.\n\nThe Hetet family also boasts distant connections to the current star Kiwi player Kalyn Ponga, who will be part of the starting lineup for the World Cup Final in Brisbane this Sunday. The Hetet and McRae families will be present at Lang Park, sharing a deeper connection to the game than many spectators. Awhina reflects on their family's involvement in the World Cup, stating, \"Our boys have been amazing throughout this whole campaign... may the best team win!\"",
  "summary": "It's been more than 100 years since Awhina and Rita's ancestors travelled from the rugby league fields of New Zealand to Australia.",
  "key_points": [
    "Awhina Hetet and Rita McRae Kingi share a century-old friendship in Brisbane.",
    "Hetet's great-great-great grandfather managed Māori All Stars in 1909.",
    "McRae's great-great grandfather was a coach, captain, and player in rugby league."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The enduring connection between these families illustrates how sporting heritage and ancestral ties can bridge generations and geographies, turning a century-old rugby rivalry into a shared legacy of cultural pride.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}