'They teach Māori in school': Curran in awe of Indigenous rivals

In Josh Curran’s first Indigenous All Stars camp, players were asked to move to one side of the room if they were well educated on their culture or to the other if they didn’t have much knowledge.

“I was kind of in the middle, but on the lower end,” Curran said. “I always knew that I was Aboriginal, but I didn’t start learning about my culture until I became a teenager."

Curran's grandfather was a member of the Stolen Generation and for many Indigenous victims, discussion about the past could be traumatic, so the Bulldogs forward wasn't well versed in his family history.

However, since his All Stars debut in 2020, Curran has developed into an Indigenous leader within the NRL and is passionate about the importance of the annual match against Aotearoa Māori.

With the February 15 fixture being played at Hamilton’s FMG Stadium Waikato, he believes the opportunity to experience Māori culture in New Zealand will empower the Indigenous players.

“All Stars is a game I love so much, I have played five of them now and it sets up my season. I go away and it fills up my cup,” said Curran, who plays in Indigenous-themed headgear.

“Those camps they start you off, and I can honestly say now that I know so much about myself and I even learned last year that I have family in Armidale.

“You learn so much about your culture and other boys as well. When we go into that camp it feels like we have been together for like three months.

“Just to see everyone come together - us and the Māori All Stars, as well, learning about each other’s culture - it feels like everyone who goes into camp comes out a better person.”

A proud Darug man from Western Sydney, Curran spent five seasons with the Warriors before joining Canterbury in 2024.

The 26-year-old said living in New Zealand gave him an appreciation for how strong Māori culture is and why it so highly valued.

“That is one of the big factors of why I wanted to move over to New Zealand. Obviously, it was an opportunity to kick-start my career, but it was so cool learning about the Māori culture and how they do everything," Curran said.

They teach the Maori culture at school whereas when I was at school I didn’t learn anything about my culture, which is sad.

“In New Zealand they have got schools where when you walk through the gates you can only speak the Māori language. After school and at home you can talk English.

“I feel that the way they drive their culture and how passionate they are about their culture is something that we need to take on board.

“At school I never got taught it but once I left school and got into an NRL system I actually started learning about my Indigenous side more. It is one thing I wish I learned when I was young.”

With the Bulldogs to open the NRL season in Las Vegas against St George Illawarra on February 28, Curran isn't sure if he will be available for this year's All Stars fixture.

However, the 2027 Perth Bears recruit insists his passion for the Indigenous jersey will never wane. 

“My totem is a goana and I always say I put my culture before anything," Curran said. "It is close to my heart, and it always will be until the day I die.