The NRL's Dolphins star Jamayne Isaako has described returning to his junior club in Christchurch as a "full circle moment" as the New Zealand Kiwis prepare to anchor the nation’s only men’s match of the World Cup this weekend.

In a rare home fixture before the tournament shifts across the Tasman, the Kiwis face Cook Islands at One NZ Stadium in a blockbuster double-header following the Kiwi Ferns clash against France.

The international clash headlines a huge long weekend of sports for Ōtautahi, capped off by the National Provincial Championship (NPC) final between Canterbury and Northland at One NZ Stadium on Labour Monday, 26 October, at 2.05pm.

Isaako, who was born in Christchurch, says stepping back onto the turf at the Aranui Eagles club where his rugby league journey began is a powerful reminder of his roots - even before putting on the black and white jersey again.

“I played a lot of my junior career at the Aranui Eagles there. I guess that’s basically where my rugby league career started,” Isaako told journalists.

“A lot of memories were brought back this morning. It was great to get back there and train again.”

Jamayne Isaako and the Kiwis perform the haka ahead of their RLWC opener against Australia in Sydney last weekend. This weekend, NZ face Cook Islands in Christchurch. Photo/Photosport/James Gourley

Having left Christchurch at 17 to join the Cronulla Sharks under-20s, Isaako made his senior international debut for New Zealand in 2018 against England.

After starring for the Dolphins in their historic top-four finish as the club’s leading try-scorer and goal-kicker, returning home in national colours brings extra emotional weight.

“To be out there this morning with the Kiwis was a pretty proud moment…It was a full circle moment for me.”

Watch the Cook Islands rugby league side training below.

With the majority of the World Cup matches taking place in Australia, he says playing in front of local family and home fans carries special significance for the Pacific powerhouse winger.

“Being able to come back, play on home soil and playing in the black jersey, especially for us Kiwis, is something that we don’t take lightly… A lot of us, when we get the opportunity to come back here [New Zealand], it’s obviously a massive one for us.”

Sunday’s Test marks the Kiwis’ first game at the new stadium after their 2024 match against the Australian Kangaroos at Apollo Projects Stadium.

Fans are in for an unprecedented feast of action across the long weekend, with major fixtures scheduled at One NZ Stadium:

• RLWC double-header on Sunday, 25 October - Kiwi Ferns vs France (women) at 4pm.

• New Zealand Kiwis take on Cook Islands (men) from 6.05pm.

• NPC Grand Final Monday, 26 October - Canterbury vs Northland at 2.05pm.

Christchurch’s brand-new One NZ Stadium is set to host a long weekend of sports, starting with the Rugby League World Cup double-header. Photo/Photosport/Iain McGregor

Fellow Cantabrian teammate, Tanner Stowers-Smith, says local fans are in for a massive treat when test match footy hits the Garden City.

“We [the New Zealand Warriors] played the Cowboys here early in the year and that was an amazing time and this one’s going to be even bigger and better,” Stowers-Smith told a team media briefing.

"With the new stadium we’ve got now, it’s amazing. It’s going to be a great night for the city.”

Despite the nostalgia and family reunions across Christchurch, Isaako says the squad’s focus remains on taking care of business against the Cook Islands.

“Our preparation this week, that’s the key… I just want to focus on my job and do my job to the best of my ability.”

Jamayne Isaako's Kiwis teammate and local product Tanner Stower-Smith says playing test match league in front of a home crowd in Christchurch will be a special occasion for the city. Photo/Photosport/Joshua Devenie

Across the rest of the Rugby League World Cup round two, action kicks off on Friday, 23 October with Tonga taking on Lebanon at Parramatta's CommBank Stadium in Sydney from 10.05pm (NZ time).

On Saturday, 24 October, Papua New Guinea host Toa Sāmoa in Port Moresby at 5.25pm while England face France in Perth at 7.35pm (NZT).

Sunday's double-header in Christchurch is capped off by Australia clashing with Fiji at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane at10.05pm (NZT) .

For more details, visit rlwc2026.com

TEAMS

New Zealand Kiwis: Keano Kini, Jamayne Isaako, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Casey McLean, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Kodi Nikorima, Jahrome Hughes, James Fisher-Harris (c), Jeremy Marshall-King, Joseph Tapine, Xavier Willison, Scott Sorensen, Erin Clark. Interchange & Reserves: Te Maire Martin, Leo Thompson, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Jacob Laban, Isaiah Papali'i, Briton Nikora, Dane Gagai, Naufahu Whyte, Moses Leota. Head Coach: Stacey Jones.

Cook Islands: Valentine Holmes, Paul Ulberg, KL Iro, Reubenn Rennie, Cameron Brown, Maui Winitana-Patelesio, Esan Marsters, Davvy Moale, Ruatapu Ngatikaura, Rhys Dakin, Amare Milford, Delahia Wigmore, Mason Teague. Interchange/Reserves: K-Ci Newton-Whare, David Tuariki, Makahesi Makatoa, Brad Takairangi, Chaev Kolone, Glassie Glassie, Brody Tamarua, Esom Ioka, Pride Petterson-Robati, Reuben Porter. Head Coach: Karmichael Hunt.

Brooke Fonoti, a journalism student at the University of Canterbury, is currently completing an internship at PMN News.