“When we get an opportunity to come back home, it’s massive for us” – Jamayne Isaako.
At one stage of careers, Tanner Stowers-Smith and Jamyne Isaako donned their respective colours for their home clubs back in Christchurch
For Tanner, it was the strip of the Halswell Hornets where he spent a lot of his junior rugby league days. As for Isaako, it was the red and white colours of the Eastern Eagles where he spent his days as a young’un at Hampshire Park in Aranui.
Nowadays the duo have made their names in the NRL, and have now made the return back home to Christchurch in the Kiwis jersey ahead of their World Cup clash with Cook Islands.
“It’s good to be back home, great to be back in Christchurch. To get to play a World Cup game here is cool, especially not having many games being brought back here in New Zealand,” Isaako says.
“Being able to train out at my junior club out there at Aranui was also cool. It’s basically where my rugby league career started. A lot of memories but good to be back there.”
Like Isaako, Tanner was raised and schooled entirely in Christchurch, and played all his junior grades at Halswell Hornets.
Being able to witness everything that had affected the city over the years, Tanner described the homecoming as a “full circle moment” for himself but also those close to him.
The young Warriors forward is named to debut for the Kiwis in the Cook Islands clash, an opportunity he is looking forward to especially representing his family name.
“It means everything to me being able to play for my friends, family and the city that raised me and everyone that has helped me to get where I am right now. To represent my family, club and school and being able to put that Kiwi jersey on, I don’t have any words for it,” he says.
“My great granddad was a Kiwis captain a long time ago now. I have learnt a lot about him and have been taught a lot about his history and the player he was. So for me to represent my family and my last name in the same way he did is an amazing feeling.”
The Kiwis head into this weekend’s clash with the Cook Islands after a close loss to the Kangaroos last week in the tournament opener.
Reflecting on the loss, Isaako says they have learnt their lesson but are now looking ahead to their next challenge.
“I am focused this week on our preparation in camp. Obviously disappointed with the result last week against Australia, yeah I took that really personally. So this week I will just focus on my job and do it to the best I can.”
Also debuting alongside Tanner for the Kiwis in this weekend’s clash is his Warriors teammate Jacob Laban. Both Laban and Tanner were key players in this year’s strong campaign from the Warriors.
After missing the dramatic 22-24 World Cup-opening loss to the Kangaroos, another One New Zealand Warrior Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has also been named in the side at centre.
The injured Kalyn Ponga is replaced at fullback by Keano Kini and Nicoll-Klokstad is in for last week’s Kiwi debutant Dane Gagai. Joseph Tapine switches from loose forward to prop for Moses Leota while Sorensen and Xavier Willison start in the second row for regulars Isaiah Papali’i and Briton Nikora. Erin Clark is named in the 13 jersey.
