When proud Wiradjuri man Nicho Hynes takes part in a goosebump-inducing Indigenous war cry ahead of Friday night's All Stars match, he'll be thinking about his mother and his mission to inspire.
Hynes, whose mum Julie is Indigenous, will passionately represent his culture for a third time against the Māori All Stars at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
The halfback always cherishes the opportunity to be part of All Stars camp, learn more about his First Nations heritage and blaze a trail for the next generation.
He will play alongside Sharks teammate Braydon Trindall and against club allies Royce Hunt and Briton Nikora in a match that again shapes as a tremendous exhibition of skill and a unifying celebration of cultures.
"You're always filled with pride and it means a helluva lot to me," said Hynes, who has a connection to Darkinjung country having grown up on the NSW Central Coast.
"I get to represent my mum, I get to represent my people and the aspiring Indigenous kids sitting at home watching these games."
Indigenous traditions and morals are a constant guiding light for Hynes.
"A value I try to live by through culture would definitely be respect," he said.
"You always have to respect your Elders and those people that have gone before you. They have all the knowledge and the wisdom and they've been there and done that.
"One (value) I like to live by is loyalty. Being loyal to your culture and the people around you. When things get questioned or people like to pick a target on Indigenous people, it's important for us to stay loyal to our people, stand strong and believe in each other, so we can make a difference in the world."
Hynes, along with Indigenous women's representative Quincy Dodd, went into training camp on Sunday. He will immerse himself in the various local community activities and workshops that amplify the impact of NRL All Stars week.
"Every time you go into camp it's like you've never left each other. This is my third one now. What we've built and what we're continuing to build as Indigenous men in this rugby league space is pretty special," he added.
The 27-year-old, who won the prestigious Preston Campbell Medal as Man of the Match last year after marshalling his team to victory in Rotorua, will nurture his budding playmaking combination with Trindall in Townsville.
He'll also be keeping a close eye on fellow Sharks Hunt and Nikora across the field.
"When I'm standing there facing the haka, I'm looking at Royce and Brit usually. Respectfully, it's hard not to smile at them because you sit here every single day (at Sharks training) with them," he explained.
"I love the Māori culture. I respect it so much. I think it's probably the leading culture in the world at the moment, in respect to (the fact) they speak their language at school, they do all their songs and dances and their hakas.
"Everyone learns it over there, whether you're Māori or not. I feel like that's something we can learn off.
"When I'm doing our dance and I'm about to participate in that, the goosebumps you feel... only Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal people can feel that.
"Indigenous people, it's hard to explain what we feel. I instantly think of my mum, I instantly think of what we're doing and the effect it has on the people out there.
"It's a special feeling and I can't wait to do it again."
