History for Wiki as father-daughter duo celebrate PNG debuts

Just over 30 years after Ruben Wiki made his international debut in a Test match in PNG, daughter Mackenzie stamped her own name in history with a hat-trick in her New Zealand debut in Port Moresby.

Wiki – who has previously represented Cook Islands on the international stage at the 2021 World Cup – starred on the wing for the Kiwi Ferns as they defeated a gutsy PNG Orchids side 36-0 to claim their place in this week’s Pacific Cup final.

Ruben played the first of his 55 Tests for New Zealand in 1994 in Port Moresby, with Mackenzie - who also plays for the Canberra Raiders in the NRLW, the same club where her father played 224 games - making the most of her call-up to post a second-half hat-trick.

With her mother in the crowd to witness her debut, Wiki said it was “surreal” to become the third member of her family to represent New Zealand in rugby league.

“It was a very unreal experience in that game, scoring a hat-trick on my debut was a very crazy experience, but it was such a grateful feeling,” said Mackenzie, who is the second Wiki to play for the Ferns after her aunty Germaine.

“It's definitely a blessed feeling to pull on the jersey in this team.

“I've looked up to most of these girls that I'm playing with now and playing right next to them is such a just a different feeling compared to in the NRW and putting on the black white jersey … I’m just grateful to represent our country.”

Kiwi Ferns coach Ricky Henry was happy to see his two debutants, with Brooke Talataina also taking to the field, get their opportunities and said Wiki would celebrate the moment.

“Really proud of Mackenzie, I know she's Ruben's daughter, but she's making a name for herself and out there today, she was awesome,” Henry said.

“Again, (it is not like) we didn't expect any of this.

“She's a very good player and played well in the NRLW.

“I'm just really stoked and proud that she was able to get over the line a few times.”

With their place now secured in the Pacific Bowl final against Australia, the Kiwi Ferns will be aiming to build on their performance against the Jillaroos in Christchurch last weekend, where their opponents held them scoreless in their 14-0 win.

The Ferns will play off against Australia at CommBank Stadium on Sunday as part of the Pacific Championships finals day.