Kennedy Cherrington has finally answered the calling to represent her family and culture at international level by putting her hand up for Kiwi Ferns selection at Rugby League World Cup 2026.

It’s a decision that has been weighing on Cherrington’s mind for at least two years as she has become deeply connected to her Māori heritage, and was reinforced during February’s All Stars camp in Hamilton.

International Rugby League’s decision to remove the tiering for women’s nations, coupled with changes to the State of Origin eligibility rules, has now made it possible for Cherrington to follow her heart and play for New Zealand.

The Parramatta Eels and NSW Blues forward joins Maroons and Broncos prop Shannon Mato as the first Jillaroos stars to switch international allegiances to New Zealand or England, and more are expected to do the same ahead of the World Cup in a move that ensures the competitiveness of RLWC2026.

“It is just about connecting with who I am, and I think the rules have worked for players like me," Cherrington said.

“It has been sitting on my mind for about two years now to make this switch, and I did inquire about how someone would change because I just felt like I would really love to don the black jersey but it was a really hard process.

“At the forefront of this decision is my culture, my whānau, my whakapapa and where I come from.”

Cherrington was born in Sydney and grew up in Perth, but she is from a proud Māori family with a strong connection to New Zealand. Her cousin Manaia Cherrington toured Britain with the Kiwis in 2015.

After playing rugby sevens for Australia in her teens, Cherrington joined Sydney Roosters in 2020 and represented the Jillaroos at the last World Cup in 2022 – a proud moment for the now 27-year-old and her family.

“I took that opportunity with both hands because Australia is where I grew up and the country that gave my parents the opportunity for me to be able to chase my dreams and goals,” Cherrington said.

“That opportunity itself was incredible, I have been able to do some amazing things in the NRLW and it has really built my confidence and brand - on and off the field.

“But being an Australian-born Māori there is that desire and want to learn more about yourself culturally.

“Probably for the last two years I have been really deeply into learning about where I come from, with my language and my culture, going home more often and filling that puzzle piece that I didn’t really have growing up here in Australia.”

Photo: Playing for Māori All Stars has inspired Kennedy Cherrington to want to represent the Kiwi Ferns. @NRL Photos

Facing the haka while playing for the Jillaroos against the Kiwi Ferns at the World Cup in England and then again in the Pacific Championships also raised questions for Cherrington, who has represented Māori All Stars since 2021.

“The haka, when the Kiwis Ferns challenge you, it asked questions of myself,” Cherrington said. “It was like my heart was calling for that side, but my heart belongs on this side, as well.

“I said to my family after All Stars that I had decided I wanted to do it because I heard that the rules were going to be changed.

“I called my family and I said, ‘Mum, Dad, I want to play in the black jersey’, and they said it is completely up to you, but we would absolutely love and support you in that jersey.

“I think I’m ready now and I think my people are ready to receive me now too, if they pick me.”

Cherrington welcomed the decision to scrap the tiering for women’s teams so players like her, Mato, Olivia Kernick and Rima Butler now have the chance to represent their Kiwi heritage after previously playing for the Jillaroos.

“You can tie from different parts of the world, but people expect you to choose one. Unfortunately, it is not that easy because I have both in my heart.

“I tie from NSW, Western Australia and Aotearoa, so it is not so simple to just knuckle down and choose one.

“I get to play for the Māori in All Stars, but it was a little bit hard not being able to put on that black jersey and play for the whole of Aotearoa.”

Photo: Kennedy Cherrington (left) and Shannon Mato (right), with Simaima Taufa, swapped jerseys with Kiwi Ferns players after the RLWC2021 final but have now put their hand up to play for New Zealand.

The Kiwi Ferns open their World Cup campaign against Fiji Bulikula at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium on October 18 before meeting France at Christchurch’s new indoor venue, One NZ Stadium, on October 25 and PNG Orchids at Cbus Super Stadium on October 31.

With a strong squad bolstered by last year’s return of the Warriors to the NRLW, Cherrington knows that she will have to earn her spot in the Kiwi Ferns team.

New Zealand dominated women’s rugby league until their first loss against the Jillaroos in the 2013 World Cup final and Cherrington believes that the Kiwi Ferns can regain their mantle as world No.1 at RLWC2026.

“As soon as the rules changed, I was on the phone to (coach) Ricky Henry straight away and I wanted to let him know that I would love to be in a selection pool for the Rugby League World Cup,” she said.

“I just wanted it to be known to Ricky and the rest of the crew that I am here if they will have me and I will do anything to make sure I earn that black jersey for the World Cup.

“We want to see the international game go to a different level and hopefully match State of Origin because representing your country should be the highest level.

“They have got an amazing, rich history of being so dominant against the Jillaroos, back in the 1990s and 2000s, and I think that with this international rule change we can definitely match the Jillaroos.”