NZ Warriors half Chanel Harris-Tavita will follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, when he lines up for the Māori All Stars against the Indigenous All Stars in the NRL's annual all star match next Saturday.
Harris-Tavita, 22, was selected for the Māori All Stars, alongside club teammates Kodi Nikorima and Jazz Tevaga for the 2022 All Stars match, and will be coached by former NZ Kiwis boss David Kidwell.
The Warriors' contingent will line up against teammate Josh Curran, and former teammate Jamayne Taunoa-Brown - both earning call ups to the Indigenous All Stars' ranks, coached by ex-New South Wales State of Origin coach Laurie Daley.
But for Harris-Tavita, the selection is just as special for the fact he'll join his grandfather, Ray Harris - who turned out three times for the New Zealand Māori side - in representing his heritage on the biggest stage.
And speaking on Friday, Harris-Tavita says he wants to put in a performance worthy of his grandfather's name, when the two sides come face-to-face in Sydney next week.
"My family's really proud," Harris-Tavita says.
"My grandad actually played for the NZ Māori when he was younger. To be able to represent his heritage makes me really excited and proud.
"Hopefully I can put on a good performance for them and myself."
Meanwhile, Warriors forward Tevaga is another looking forward to the All Stars clash, in particular eyeing up his battle against teammate Curran - even seeing coach Nathan Brown intervene.
"I'm very keen to get in there, represent my family and all the people back home," Tevaga says.
"I've been itching to play this game for a while now. It'll be a bit weird facing Joshy and his crew, so I'll be looking to take his head off too.
"Brown's already given me a bit of a talking to saying if Josh is in the tackle, don't be silly."
The Māori All Stars clash will also be significant for Warriors utility Kodi Nikorima, who'll line up alongside younger brother, Melbourne Storm half Jayden Nikorima.
