{"id":455425,"date":"2026-02-03T09:33:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T09:33:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/455425\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T09:33:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T09:33:19","slug":"nrl-2026-all-stars-kennedy-cherringtons-long-wait-to-play-at-home-in-new-zealand-set-to-finally-end","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/455425\/","title":{"rendered":"NRL 2026: All Stars: Kennedy Cherrington’s long wait to play at home in New Zealand set to finally end"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kennedy Cherrington\u2019s ancestors were staunch and fierce M\u0101ori warriors and it is those characteristics that make her one of John Strange\u2019s favourite players to coach.<\/p>\n

The Eels and NSW Blues firebrand was born and raised in Australia, but she is passionate about wearing the M\u0101ori jersey against the Indigenous All Stars in the annual fixture at FMG Stadium Waikato on February 15.<\/p>\n

Cherrington, who was forced to miss the 2023 All Stars match at Rotorua due to a broken hand, is one of four players officially confirmed for the double-header in Hamilton. They are:<\/p>\n

James Fisher-Harris (M\u0101ori Men)
\nNicho Hynes (Indigenous Men)
\nKennedy Cherrington (M\u0101ori Women)
\nJaime Chapman (Indigenous Women)\u00a0<\/p>\n

The All Stars fixture will be the first time Cherrington has played\u00a0in New Zealand but she and sister Rueben have spent a lot of time there in recent years connecting with their culture.<\/p>\n


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\u201cI believe in divine timing, and this is my time,\u201d Cherrington said. “Culture is at the forefront of who I am so to represent not only myself, but my family and my ancestors who came before me, means so much.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the pinnacle and there is so much pride behind this jersey for me. It is going to be very special for me personally, as well, because I have never played back home in Aotearoa.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was born in Australia and bought up the M\u0101ori way but not necessarily around my language and traditional customs, which I now crave for because I am always going back home to make sure I get that cultural connection.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy sister and I have really been on our journey the last two years, learning our language, going back often to visit and making sure we understand our whakapapa, or family history.\u201d<\/p>\n


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\n Kennedy and Rueben Cherrington with family and friends after the 2025 All Stars game.
\n \u00a9NRL Photos
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Kennedy and Rueben have ties to the Ng\u0101ti Hine and Ng\u0101ti Ng\u0101puhi iwis from Northland on their father\u2019s side and the Ng\u0101ti T\u016bwharetoa iwi from Korohe and the east coast-based Ng\u0101ti Ruapani ki Waikaremoana iwi on their mother\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

Their grandfather Nau Cherrington and uncle Norm Berryman played for the All Blacks, while cousins Anthony and Manaia played in the NRL.<\/p>\n

“I like to say that we are pretty hearty where I come from,” Cherrington said\/<\/p>\n


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We are pretty staunch and strong warriors, so I like to think that I resemble some of the characteristics and morals and values that my t\u016bpuna and ancestors had back then.<\/p>\n


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\u201cI love being part of the All Stars camp because it is such a culturally enriched week where you just get to be M\u0101ori, and that is the best thing that I love about myself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am so proud to represent my culture in everything I do; I get to put on a jersey and represent my people in the pinnacle of rugby league – All Stars. That is so special.\u201d<\/p>\n

Absolutely devastated I won\u2019t be pulling on the M\u0101ori jersey this weekend. Broke my hand in the first round of the HNWP comp on Saturday & was due in camp Sunday. Wishing my team the best of luck!! \ud83e\udd7a Our first fixture back on our whenua (land). Wow. A very special moment!! \ud83d\udc9a\ud83d\udda4 pic.twitter.com\/JcNEQPVTuu<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 KENNEDY CHERRINGTON (@kcherrington99) February 7, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a big call by Cherrington, who wears her heart on her sleeve whether she is playing for Parramatta, NSW or the M\u0101ori All Stars, which is why Strange \u2013 the Blues coach \u2013 enjoys coaching her.<\/p>\n

Strange said: “I love coaching Kennedy Cherrington. I coached Kennedy in Origin last year and she is a player I love coaching, just with the energy that she brings, so it is exciting to link back with her again”.<\/p>\n

The 27-year-old said Strange, who was an assistant coach when she played for Sydney Roosters in 2020 and had charge of her in Origin last season, knew how to bring out the best in her game.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is very clear with what he wants and I am so receptive to that because I know that he believes in me and coming into this jersey it is basically Origin all over again,\u201d Cherrington said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know what he expects and that is going to be my job come All Stars.\u201d<\/p>\n

The return of the Warriors to the NRLW last season has ensured a bigger pool of talent for the M\u0101ori W\u0101hine Toa as the likes of Payton Takimoana and Shakira Baker switched codes to play for the New Zealand club.<\/p>\n

Takimoana, the NRLW’s leading tryscorer, and Baker will be joined in the Maori team by Warriors team-mates Harata Butler, Mya Hill-Moana, Matekino Gray and new recruit Gayle Broughton, who won the Trish Hina Medal in 2023.<\/p>\n


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Broughton named player of the match<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is probably the hardest team that we have had to pick because there is so much of the new generation that are pushing through, which means there is so much awesome talent that won\u2019t be showcased in All Stars,\u201d Cherrington said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like the game went to another level last year and we are going to see it do that again this year, which is insane to think about.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that there is a lot of eyes from other codes looking over so it keeps us honest and really pushing for spots. Imagine the girls that will come into the fold in the next 12 months<\/p>\n

\u201cIt just brings so much cultural opportunity, especially for girls like myself, who were bought up in Australia. If I want to live back home, there is an opportunity to do that and still play rugby league.\u201d<\/p>\n