Rugby league: Mackenzie Wiki following in footsteps of Kiwi NRL icon father Ruben

While NZ Warriors are riding high in the men's NRL, a big group of Kiwi women hope to make a similar impact in the NRLW.

One of them is quite literally creating history, with Mackenzie Wiki following in the footsteps of her father, representing the 'Green Machine' of the Canberra Raiders.

Whenever Wiki works out, there are reminders that rugby league is in her DNA - working out underneath a poster of dad Ruben.

"The old man up there in the top corner," she told Newshub. "Looking down on me, making sure I'm doing it right."

The similarities don't end there. When Mackenzie debuted for the Raiders, it marked a special moment for her whānau and for rugby league.

Almost two decades after her famous father, Mackenzie ran onto the same field in the same jersey - becoming the first father/daughter duo to play for the same club.

"I was like, 'It's happening, this is it'," Mackenzie continued. "We've made history for the club and making my family proud was just such a surreal moment."

At 20, she's only just getting started and vows to make her own mark in her own way. 

"I feel no more pressure. My dad is happy for me to make my own journey in this sport."

Out of everyone, Ruben Wiki knows the pressure. 

"When they get tagged with the title 'Ruben Wiki's son or daughter', it's a pretty hard task," he told Newshub. "To be in the same number I played a long, long time ago was pretty cool.

"She's done an amazing job. I'm overwhelmed with pride at what she's achieved."

Mackenzie Wiki for Canberra Raiders against Sydney Roosters.
Mackenzie Wiki for Canberra Raiders against Sydney Roosters. Photo credit: Getty Images

Mackenzie hopes rugby league will lead her back home. 

"[I want] to be a Kiwi, like my dad, but also a Kiwi like my aunty," she insisted. 

"I want to play for my country - New Zealand. That's the main goal."

To follow in her fathers footsteps, may not be such a bad thing after all.