Former league star Stacey Jones is mourning the loss of his sporting great grandfather, Hone "Manga" Emery, without whose influence he might never have touched a football.
Emery, aged 79, died this week after a long battle with throat cancer.
He played for the NZ Maori rugby team for four years before being selected for the Kiwis, the national league side, in 1961.
He was in the side for five years, alongside rugged front-rowers Sam Edwards and hooker Jock Butterfield.
Emery was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer 18 months ago and died at Middlemore Hospital in Auckland on Thursday.