Rātana Rugby: God's Game

Television (Full Length) – 2004

In the close-knit community of Rātana near Whanganui, faith and rugby run side by side. This documentary follows Coach Murray Ririnui and his team as they chase the Whanganui Rugby Championship cup — a prize that’s eluded them for 76 years. Fuelled by grit, teamwork, and their shared Rātana faith, the team draws strength from both training and community. Founded in 1918, by Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana, the Rātana movement seeks to unite te iwi Māori through shared spirituality and purpose. Interviews with players, families and church leaders share the pride and culture that define Rātana, both on and off the field.

The Rātana team, for me, really represents not just rugby issues for Māori people in quite a white, middle-class, conservative town, like Whanganui, but it represents some of the other issues that Māori people face. I think they’re about pride as a people, not just as a team.
– Awa FM announcer, Piri Hira on the Rātana rugby team