Winging it: Wiki embracing her new role for the Ferns

For now however, she looks right at home playing on the wing in a switch from her regular position of centre where she scored 10 tries in 13 games for the Raiders this season.

“It was a massive change from centre to wing, but I've always been told wherever you get put, to play your heart out,” Wiki told NRL.com.

“But I've found a little home at the winger spot and I'm I enjoying it.”

Ferns coach Ricky Henry praised Wiki's performance in the 40-12 win over PNG Orchids on Saturday night after she registered two tries and one try assist, having now scored four tries in two appearances.

“She’s been awesome,” Henry said.

“Turned up first week and unfortunately Shanice Parker got injured and she Mackenzie came in.

“She’s been asking a lot of questions, she’s built a bit of a combination with Stacey Waaka on that right edge and we’ve got something going there so really, really happy with that.

“She’s a quality player, she was unfortunate to miss our squad initially and she's come in and made every post a winner.

“So [if she] keeps playing like that and keeps scoring tries and making breaks and that sort of stuff, we’ll keep her in the team.”

Although it isn’t her first World Cup experience - having represented Cook Islands in 2021 - Wiki has still been turning to her club teammates in Zahara Temara and Leianne Tufuga for guidance.

“Those two I'm very close with back home in Canberra, so I lean on them quite a lot,” Wiki said.

“But the rest of the girls, they're all so good and I don't really have a group where I like go to more because everyone's all open arms, it's been such a great sisterhood.

“Last World Cup, four years ago, I was a full-on rookie to rugby league and it was a very different camp from this one.

“Obviously the Kiwi Ferns have been in it for a while, and I know Cook Islands have been there as well, but it’s (camp) still good, but different in their own ways.

“I love the culture of Cook Islands... I love representing my Cook Islands culture for my grandfather and for my mum.

“But it's also nice to represent New Zealand from where I grew up and where my parents both were born.”

The Ferns return to the World Cup semi-finals on Saturday at McDonald Jones Stadium facing off against the flying Fetu Samoa side, a challenge that Wiki is ready to embrace.

“They're going to bring everything, they're such a great strong squad,” Wiki said.

“They’ve got a really good connection in their team and I know we do too [so] it's going to be a great battle out there.

“I know they're going to bring out their all, but I know that we are as well, but I think it's going to be a good match.”

• Tickets are currently on sale for both IRL Rugby League World Cup semi-finals via rlwc2026.com.