Raiders hooker Chanté Temara has revealed how a surprise visit for sister Zahara’s 50th NRLW appearance by their grandparents helped keep Canberra’s finals hopes alive.
Zahara, a pioneer of the women’s game, notched up her milestone match with the poise, leadership and humility that has made her a cornerstone of every team she’s been a part of by kicking a golden point field goal against Wests Tigers.
The 17-16 win not only ended Canberra’s 2025 home ground losing streak, it marked a special day that will long live in the memory of the Temara family as Chanté also played her 30th NRLW game.
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And behind the scenes, Chanté was working on something much bigger than just a match plan – a surprise for her big sister that had the whole squad smiling and helped inspire their third consecutive win.
“I was actually really nervous about the surprise.” Chanté admitted. “It wasn’t just me, it was our management, Simaima (Taufa) and Zahara’s partner, Seta
“I’m so grateful. All pretty much helped us sort it out and then when we surprised her, I was like, ‘we got you good,’ and she was like, ‘yeah, you got me’.”
The surprise? Flying their grandparents from Rotorua, New Zealand, to Canberra for the big day.
“It has always been special when we know that they are coming. Especially on my dad’s side, my Nan and my Koro don’t get to come to many of our games,” Temara told NRL.com.
“We’ve always had all of our other family, but I think this one was extra special.”
Zahara Temera’s New Zealand grandparents presented the Raiders playmaker with her jersey for last weekend’s 50th NRLW game after a surprise visit.
©Canberra Raiders
And special it was. Not just because of the occasion, but because the Raiders delivered a clutch golden point victory capped by Zahara kicking the game-winning field goal in extra time.
“I think we set the goal at the start of the week to break the streak, the big streak, and I am so glad we did it on a big occasion like this one with Grace (Kemp) and Zahara’s milestone games,” Chanté said.
“I’m really grateful that I get to do it alongside her and the rest of the girls.”
Their on-field chemistry is hard to miss. But off the field, the sisterly dynamic is just as entertaining.
Chante Temara shared a milestone match with big sister Zahara in Canberra’s 17-16 win against Wests Tigers.
©Gregg Porteous/NRL Photos
“It has always been special for me, that I get to play with her. I did get into a bit of
trouble; I wasn’t listening but that’s okay. It happens.” Chanté laughed.
“We don’t live with each other which is good because, you know, can’t have too much of each other. So, it’s just balance.
“We see each other all the time at training and then I also annoy her off the field. I’ll be like, ‘I’m coming over,’ and she’s like, ‘oh my god, please don’t.’ But it’s just been so good for us, and I think we have been playing good footy.”
In a tense final stanza, it was a calm and composed Zahara who stepped up. However, Chanté, watching from the field, could feel the nerves.
“I am glad I wasn’t in the coaching box, I heard it was a bit hectic in there,” she said. “I’ve heard from the girls that they were also nervous, but I think in that last set that we did and then Zahara kicked it, I think everyone just trusted each other.”
Zahara Temara’s partner Seta (left) and sister Chante (right) heled organise for a surprise visit by their grandparent for her 50th NRLW match.
©Canberra Raiders
That trust in each other, in the game plan and in their leaders is exactly what Taufa sees in her Raiders co-captain.
“Words can never describe how much Z means to me,” an emotional Taufa said post-match.
“She doesn’t speak much, but you know when she’s speaking everyone listens.
“The way she has been able to instil confidence right across the board from our young players to even myself, the way she mentors our young girls, the way she makes you feel a part of her family.
“She’s always hard on herself, but I’m blessed to see her get all the rewards
that she truly deserves.
“Z is a leader in her own right but to see her grow within the game, she was a young girl that was shy and wouldn’t speak at all, to see her out there on the field directing us, making us believe, everything.
“We believe everything Z says, she brings us together. It’s bloody unreal.”
In front of family, friends, and a proud home crowd, the Temara sisters shared a golden moment.
But for Zahara, who prefers action to words, it was a quiet embrace with her grandparents after the game that said more than any speech could.
Fifty games of excellence. One unforgettable surprise. And a golden point win to cap it off.
Some days in rugby league are bigger than others. This one for the Tamera family, and for the Raiders was golden.