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Family is important to Counties Manukau Rugby – the Union has been blessed to be a family organisation since its inception in 1955 and that has come to the fore again this year.

One only needs to glance at the Honours Boards inside Navigation Homes Stadium to see the same surnames cropping up again and again – often through the generations.

The 2024 Heat and Steelers squads are no different – there is a clear whanau link in players from both squads. One that jumps out is brother and sister representative Blake and Paige Makiri.

Father Hare Makiri was a renowned Steelers player during the 1990s and now his children are representing the region in the famous hoops.

Paige debuted as halfback for the Counties Energy Heat this season against Northland

Blake, who debuted with the Steelers last season, says playing at the same time as his sister is very special for his family.

“Seeing my sister make it, just as a big brother, it makes you really proud,” the older Makiri said. “I am grateful that she did take the opportunity.

“I know she will learn a lot from the girls around her and I know she will enjoy it.”

He acknowledges his parents for their success and said they played a pivotal role in both siblings’ development.

“Both me and my sister ran to my family a lot for all the trainings they took us to and the early morning games we had to do and needed rides – both of us owe a lot to our parents.”

The Manurewa winger has impressed this season after making his debut last year and says it was a dream to follow in his father’s footsteps and a very special moment when he realised that goal. Blake celebrated is blazer game this weekend gone having 15 caps for the season.