‘We’re just trying to put Christchurch on the map,’ says South Island league star

A star in the Kiwis squad says players from cities with fewer rugby league clubs are changing the narrative about where New Zealand’s best talent resides.

Brisbane Broncos star Jordan Riki, NRL’s highest try scorer and Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako and Newcastle Knights utility Faamanu Brown are all from Christchurch, and are now gearing up for the Kiwis in the Pacific Championships.

Faamanu Brown says these players are an example of what talent in cities outside of Auckland can do.

“With Christchurch bro, a lot of the talent doesn’t get looked at so guys like Jordan Riki and especially Jamayne Isaako [get missed]. If those guys and myself can do it, everyone can do it.

“Small towns like us bro, for us, I guess we’re just trying to put Christchurch on the map.”

Brown, who grew up playing for the Hornby Panthers Rugby League Club, will don the Kiwis jersey for the first time in his career.

Last year Brown was part of the Toa Samoa team that had a historic run at the Rugby League World Cup. Now representing his New Zealand roots, he says his change of allegiance was influenced by a childhood dream.

“Obviously it’s a dream come true for me. I’m from Christchurch and Canterbury-born so I’ve always grown up watching the All Blacks.

“For me, whether it was gonna be rugby union or league, I’ve always wanted to put the black jersey on.”

Brown is one of three players who were part of the Toa Samoa World Cup who are now playing for other countries. When announced in the Kiwis squad, Faamanu said he his decision was supported by his loved ones.

“I asked my dad before I made the team, I said ‘what would you rather me play this year’ and he said ‘if you can, go live your dream because you’ve already lived mum and I’s dream.”

Now looking towards Saturday against his old team mates, Brown says they have been fully supportive of his decision.

“Some of the boys who played Toa understand, because they’re Kiwis and Aussies too - and people who play the game know what it's like making these decisions.”