After representing Cook Islands at the World Cup, Mackenzie Wiki made her NRLW debut in the Canberra Raiders jersey her dad, Ruben, first found fame in – and eventually followed in his footsteps by earning an international call-up for New Zealand.
Born in Queanbeyan while her father was playing for the Raiders, Mackenzie was raised in Auckland after Ruben linked with the Warriors when she was three years old.
While playing for Manurewa Marlins in 2022, Wiki received her international spurs by representing Cook Islands at the end-of-year RLWC – debuting at fullback against the Jillaroos and playing on the wing against the Kiwi Ferns and France.
The 21-year-old carved out a niche in the premiership’s narrative as one half of first-ever father-daughter duo to play for the same club when she lined up at centre in the Raiders’ inaugural NRLW match in 2023, making seven appearances that year.
Wiki’s progress continued in 2024 with four tries in seven matches, as well racking up three try assists, six line-breaks and 31 tackle-breaks, with an average of 134 metres.
With Ruben a celebrated Kiwis icon and NZRL Legend of League with 55 Test appearances from 1994-2006, Mackenzie created more father-daughter history during the Kiwi Ferns’ 2024 Pacific Championships campaign.
She was chosen to debut on the wing in the clash with Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby, blazing over for a second-half hat-trick and running for 133 metres in the 36-0 win.
