Like mother, like daughter: Kaiyah carries on a proud Ferns legacy

Nine years ago, Kaiyah Atai was in the Suncorp Stadium grandstand to see the New Zealand women’s team go down in a classic Rugby League World Cup final against Australia. 

The Kiwi Ferns newcomer is eyeing the opportunity to run onto the field at the same venue on November 15, most likely against the Jillaroos in a fifth successive trans-Tasman World Cup decider.  

Kaiyah’s mum, Sharlene Atai (née Johnson), was part of New Zealand’s 2017 World Cup squad – the conclusion of a remarkable international career spanning 17 seasons. The pair created history this month as the Kiwi Ferns’ first-ever mother-daughter representatives.  

“It was a very proud moment for myself and my family,” Kaiyah told NRL.com. 

“My mum was very happy when I chose to play for Kiwi Ferns this World Cup, we always talk about history and just to be a part of that, especially in the black jersey, is so cool.” 

Sharlene was a winger as New Zealand defeated Great Britain in the inaugural women’s Rugby League World Cup final in 2000 – less than a year before Kaiyah was born.  

Family commitments ruled her out of the Kiwi Ferns’ 2003 and 2013 RLWC campaigns, but she was on the flank as they routed the Jillaroos 34-0 in the 2008 final at Suncorp Stadium. At the age of 40, she ended a seven-year hiatus from the national side to win selection for the 2017 World Cup.   

“I think the only memory I have from her playing in the World Cup was in 2017,” Kaiyah said.

“I flew over to support her in the final – unfortunately they lost, but it was just so cool to be around that environment when I was young. And some of the Kiwi Ferns she played with, I'm now playing with in this World Cup. 

“It’s such an honour to represent the Kiwi Ferns, and I think just being around all the girls has made it really easy for us debutants, being new into camp, and I’m really enjoying it.” 

The Warriors back-rower made her Kiwi Ferns debut in their torrid tournament-opening win over Fiji in Newcastle, lining up alongside 2017 survivors Raecene McGregor, Georgia Hale and Apii Nicholls.  

Atai was a standout in New Zealand’s record-breaking 92-0 win over France in Christchurch, scoring a try, making three line breaks and producing a try assist.  

“We had to hold our nerve there, [France] showed us very different defence but we still stuck to our game plan, which I think our coach would be very proud of," she said. 

A star in the Auckland competition with Richmond Roses and on the New Zealand domestic rep scene, she turned out for Cook Islands in 2023-24 prior to making her NRLW debut.  

“It’s so cool that I get to represent both my cultures,” she said.

“Obviously I was brought up in New Zealand, but I've lived in the Cook Islands for a bit. My dad's all Cook Island heritage, and whatever jersey I put on, I'm very proud to represent where I'm from.” 

Atai has used the Warriors’ reintroduction to the NRLW as a springboard to becoming one of the game’s rising back-row talents.  

She was named the Warriors’ rookie of the year in 2025, while her industrious, high-quality performances – averaging 97 metres and 29 tackles a game – garnered the player of the year award this season for a team that collectively fell short of expectations. 

“I played footy when I was 18 in New Zealand, the Warriors weren't back in the comp and we didn't have a team until two years ago," she said.

“So I guess that was my pathway, and then once the Warriors finally got back in I got a call from the coach. I’m just very proud that I get to represent home, the Warriors being the only New Zealand team [in the NRLW]. 

“It was kind of a tough season, but to get those honours was something really cool, and I think I can be proud of that. A disappointing season [for the team] but I think that's only going to make us hungrier for next year, so it’ll be a big off-season ahead after the World Cup.” 

Following the wake-up call provided by World Cup debutants Fiji – recovering from an error-strewn display to prevail 18-12 – the Kiwi Ferns used the week on home soil to recalibrate and refocus.  

“It was good to just soak it all up, our second week in camp and our only home game in Christchurch,” Atai said.

“The weather, the fans and just the buzz around the town was so cool for us, and I think it showed in our performance as well.  

“But the rest of our games are in Australia, so we'll just need to reset and keep our momentum going.” 

The Kiwi Ferns will look to clinch top spot in Pool B when they take on PNG Orchids as part of Saturday's triple-header at Cbus Super Stadium.

While a semi-final against Samoa or England looms and potential showdown with Australia on November 15 is the ultimate goal, Atai says the Ricky Henry-coached Kiwi Ferns can’t afford to look any further ahead than their next assignment.   

"We'll take a lot of confidence out of our performance [against France] and build into next week. We're here at a World Cup for a reason, and we're wanting to make that final and push the Aussies, who’ve won the last three World Cups," she said.

“You never take any side lightly and we give respect to all of the teams we're playing. It was a close one against Fiji, and we still want to stick to our game plan against PNG and come off with another win while still sticking to our processes.”