RUGBY LEAGUE - Stars of the past returning

TREVOR HALKETT
HENRY Heke is one of the rugby league fans across New Zealand itching for this weekend.
With the Rugby League World Cup final imminent, 100 years of history will culminate with the Kiwis facing off against the Kangaroos.
Like Heke, the Omahu Huia rugby league chairman, Hawke's Bay rugby league fans have the perfect curtain-raiser.
To celebrate rugby league's centennial, Omahu Huia have brought back some familiar faces for a day of celebration, reunions and good old-fashioned league. The Omahu Huia board also plan to recognise the long service of club stalwart Mangai Hanara snr.
The culmination of the celebration will be the on-field reunion of some of the region's greatest rivals, when a 1975-89 Omahu Huia team battle a 1975-89 Hawke's Bay Unicorns selection.
Heke said the club wanted a celebration for Hawke's Bay, after watching Taranaki have their own celebration with the New Zealand Maori vs All Golds game.
"Last year we played a past vs present and wanted something different this year. We knew 1984 was a strong team for Omahu Huia and we figured why not play the Hawke's Bay Unicorns," he said.
The match will showcase some of the greatest rugby league talents to come from Hawke's Bay, albeit with a few years added on.
One of the last players to be selected for the Kiwis from the domestic competition, Mike Dorreen, will be reunited with another of the original 1995 Auckland Warriors, Charles Kennedy jnr.
Other players are appearing through a combination of invitation and sheer luck.
"Peter Cordtz, the CEO of New Zealand Rugby League is here. He played for Hawke's Bay Unicorns and Taradale Eagles," Heke explained. "Turei Collier just by chance was home for his 40th."
Other familiar figures running on to the field will include Shane Foster (pictured), Des and Adrian Rowlands, Navi'ti Tekapo, Allan Mason, Paul Hakiwai and Omahu Huia player/coach Maynard Gillies.
Waka Leonard has been charged with organising the Hawke's Bay Unicorns team.
Heke said the main contention during selection was players who had featured at both clubs.
"If you played for Omahu Huia and the Unicorns, you have to play for Omahu Huia," he said.
The blast from the past does not end with the players. The rules will be played under an older vintage as well.
"We're playing under the old rules - unlimited subs, five metres apart, pushing in scrums. It's going to be a spectacle."
While the main message is celebrating 100 years of international rugby league, it is also a chance to reflect on the contribution Omahu Huia has made to the game.
The Huia name dates back to 1920 from a well-known Maori hockey team. Now Omahu Huia covers teams in league, netball, touch and will soon expand into waka ama.
The celebration will kick off at 9am at Omahu School, covering all age grades. The heavy hitting evolves into a past vs present Omahu Huia women's game. Heke expects plenty of fireworks.
"You've got the kids playing against their aunties. These poor kids, they don't want to lose to their aunties," he said.
After the premier team has a run, it is time for the main event. Heke joked an ambulance might have to be nearby.
"Some of these guys are in their late 40s. Some of the Omahu guys are in their 50s," he said.
Celebrations will begin tonight with the Omahu Huia prizegiving. The club also plans to unveil the Challenge Cup, one of the oldest trophies in Hawke's Bay rugby league. Dating back to 1905, the Challenge Cup has been "in hiding" since 2006.