Previously, players who had represented Australia, New Zealand or England could not switch their eligibility to join one of the other two tier-one nations. However, the tier structure was scrapped from the women’s game earlier this year, allowing the likes of Temara to don new colours.
“It was a dream of mine but for many years I thought it could never happen, so [it’s] pretty cool to be here,” Rotorua-born Temara said.
Temara, who played for the Canberra Raiders in the NRLW, isn’t the only player in the Kiwi Ferns’ squad to beat the New Zealand side in a World Cup final, with Whangārei-born prop Shannon Mato also switching allegiances after helping the Jillaroos to the title in 2021 in Manchester.
“It’s a bit surreal eh,” Temara said.
“It hasn’t really hit me yet. Whilst talking to Shan, we’re in the same boat and I think it’ll hit us on game day but [I’m] pretty honoured and grateful to be here.
“It’s been a bit of a journey to get here. It’s a dream that I never thought I could achieve, so just lapping it up at the moment.”
Temara will make her debut with the No 6 on her back, lining up in the halves alongside Raecene McGregor, who finished second in the women’s Dally M voting after a strong NRLW campaign at halfback for Wests Tigers.
The Kiwi Ferns will open their account against Fiji, who are appearing at the World Cup for the first time, on Sunday. It will be their first of three pool games, with clashes against France and Papua New Guinea in the following weeks.
“They’re expected to come out with a bang and but so are we, and we’re here to set the tone for our campaign this weekend.
“We’ve got to do a job because we do want the treats at the end of the campaign and that’s what New Zealand expects and that’s what they deserve.”
Kiwi Ferns squad:
1. Apii Nicholls, 2. Leianne Tufuga, 3. Mele Hufanga, 4. Abigail Roache, 5. Stacey Waaka, 6. Zahara Temara, 7. Raecene McGregor, 8. Otesa Pule, 9. Georgia Hale, 10. Shannon Mato, 11. Annessa Biddle, 12. Kaiyah Atai, 13. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.
Interchange: 14. Ashleigh Quinlan, 15. Alexis Tauaneai, 16. Ivana Lauitiiti, 17. Brianna Clark, 18. Brooke Anderson.
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.