Jordan McKenzie and her uncle Jason Munro were both selected to represent their culture in the Indigenous Australia side at the 2018 Tag World Cup, held in Coffs Harbour from November 1 to 4.

Munro, who played for the Indigenous Australia men’s 40s team, is no stranger to the big stage, having competed in the previous World Cup three years ago, as well as travelling to New Zealand twice with the indigenous Oztag side.

Meanwhile 17-year-old McKenzie had her first taste of playing on a world stage with her selection in the Indigenous Australia women’s under 21s side.

She’d originally applied for selection in the under 18s team but was instead was chosen for the older squad.

“It just goes to show she can mix it with the best of them,” Munro said of his niece.

“Jordie’s always been a natural talent at football, touch, league tag. She’s pretty good to watch. 

“She was a bit overwhelmed by [the World Cup] but took it in her stride. She can do anything if she puts her mind to it.”

McKenzie’s mum Melanie Hammond said the significance of the achievement hit her daughter when she walked out with her team during the Opening Ceremony.

“At first she didn’t realise it was as big a deal as it was, but when she walked out, she told me it was like being in the Commonwealth Games,” Ms Hammond said.

“It was very special.”

Munro and McKenzie’s sides played a number of games across the four days of competition, with both making the semi-finals.

Both Munro and McKenzie ended up coming away with bronze after their teams were defeated in the semi by New Zealand.

“It would have been good to get to the final but it wasn’t meant to be,” Munro said. 

“We were only beaten by one try in the semi. But it was good to come home with bronze.”

Munro first started playing Oztag when he was living in Sydney in 2002 and has been playing on-and-off ever since.

He and McKenzie are also members of the Moree Boomerangs Rugby League Football Club.

McKenzie has been playing league tag with the Rangs for the past three years, having gotten involved in the sport through her mum and brothers.

This year she was named the Group 19 women’s league tag best and fairest and has recently gained selection in the Group 19 women’s nines representative squad.

She has also been named in the Sydney Roosters 2019 Tarsha Gale Under 18s Summer Squad, which she said is a dream come true.

A total of 32 nations competed in the 2018 Tag World Cup across 18 divisions from under 16s to over 50s.

The Indigenous Australia squad took 16 teams, out of 18 divisions, which was the biggest ever represented.

Jordan would like to thank NSW AECG, Pius X Aborignal Corporation, Moree Boomerangs Football Club, in particular the Moree Boomerangs Ladies League Tag, and especially her mum for kindly supporting and making it possible for her to attend this event.