Born and raised in Australia, it wasn't until Sharks enforcer Royce Hunt became an NRL All Star in 2022 that he had the powerful experience of delving deeply into his proud Māori culture.
Hunt will represent the Māori All Stars against their Indigenous counterparts for the third time at Townsville's Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Friday night.
While the exhibition fixture is always a tremendous showcase of skill and passion, it's far more than a rugby league match for the 28-year-old prop.
"I didn't really have much of a connection to my Māori side growing up here. It wasn't until I met my wife - she's Māori - and met all her family," Hunt explained.
"But when I really started connecting to my Māori heritage was my first year of All Stars. It was really good to get in there and start reconnecting or connecting with our culture. It's definitely in me, it's in my bones. It's who we are."
Hunt is one of four Sharks taking part in this year's men's All Stars clash in Townsville. Alongside him will be backrower Briton Nikora, with Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall set to combine in the halves for the Indigenous team.
"It means quite a lot. I get to represent my mum, I get to represent my wife and her family and I get to represent all of Aotearoa as well," Hunt said.
"(The pre-game war cry) is pretty spine-tingling. I remember my first year in All Stars and we did our haka. I just remember the rush of blood it gives you and the amount of mana that comes out on the day is unbelievable.
"The Māoris and Indigenous brothers, our respect is always there for each other and each other's heritages and where we're from.
"It's always good to do it at the start of the year. It's a bit rusty, you get the cobwebs out, but it's always a good game and a good hit-out."
Having been defeated 28-24 in the 2023 fixture in Rotorua - the first time the NRL All Stars was held in New Zealand - the Māori side are aiming to hit back and chalk up their third win of the past five years to go with a draw in 2021.
