Kandy Kennedy will handle Murri

Come this Sunday, Maza hopes All Blacks second-rower Kennedy will show even more people how good she is.

Kennedy will pull on jumper number 11 for the NSW Koori side as they take on Queensland Murri at Mascot Oval.

On the line is not only bragging rights for the victorious state, but a spot in the Indigenous All Stars team who will take on the Australian side next February.

Maza feels Kennedy, who played her third season with Sydney Metropolitan Women’s Rugby League outfit Redfern in 2016, has the talent to make that outfit.

“This should be her game, this will be her great comeback I reckon. The last time she was in the New South Wales team was a couple of years ago … it was before they had an All Stars game,” Maza said.

“I’ve watched the Murri games and there are quite a few talented girls there. Dead set, whoever makes the Indigenous team, we are going to give the Australian girls a really good crack.

“I wish her all the best, I think it is fantastic she has been selected in the New South Wales Koori team and I am really hoping that she can go the next step.”

Playing with Redfern, Kennedy helped her side reach the semi-final stage of the regular competition this year before going on to win the women’s division at the annual NSW Koori Knockout.

Having watched Kennedy play, Maza has seen plenty of attributes which makes the Bathurst product attractive to selectors.

She has also been impressed by the commitment the Kennedy family as a whole has shown.

“She’s dedicated, she does the hard work and it pays off. She is very talented for a small player – and I say small player given all the big forwards – but she can tackle with the best of them,” Maza said.

“I’ve seen her pull off some amazing hits this season in terms of strong tackles. She is fast, she is fit and she is agile – she’s just the person you want on your team.

“The family, talk about dedication, driving from Bathurst every week – that’s a big effort. We are Sydney Women’s Metropolitan League, we play all over the place.

“It is just inspirational to see their commitment to women’s rugby league and I hope that she goes a long way.”

As for Sunday’s match against Queensland, Maza is confident Kennedy can lead by example for the NSW Koori side.

“For sure she will hold her own against the Queenslanders. She actually played up there, she played in the Murri carnival. I was surprised, I watched it on television and was like ‘Oh my God, there’s Kandy,’,” Maza said. “So she knows those Queenslanders, she’s experienced, she knows how they play.”