The No 8 spent her teenage years in Palmerston North, surrounded by hues of green and white, and even represented Manawatu at under-18 level.
But those connections with her former region will go on the backburner today, when the Otago Spirit come up against the Manawatu Cyclones, packed with players Rewiri-Wharerau attended Manukura School alongside.
"I’m more excited than I am nervous, which is a good sign for me, I think," Rewiri-Wharerau said.
"It’ll be cool to have a run against them and give it our all.
"I definitely know a lot of the [Spirit] girls, and myself, are really excited."
The 21-year-old is relishing her first season with the Spirit in the Farah Palmer Cup, making for a big step up from club rugby.
and was enjoying the step-up to the next level.
"It’s so much different from club, but at the same time it’s really good, because . . . I get to focus on my own role and just doing my own job because I know everyone else is going to pick up their own weight, kind of."
She has slotted in seamlessly with talented loose forwards Leah Miles and Zoe Whatarau, who were all too happy to share their knowledge with the rising player.
Rewiri-Wharerau, who moved to Dunedin in 2020 to study Māori health and finance, is a quiet achiever for the Spirit, just going about her business without any fuss, but gets through a power of work and has started every game for the Spirit.
Her workload led to her being named women’s club breakthrough player of the year at the metropolitan club rugby awards on Thursday following a standout season with Alhambra-Union-Union.
"That was actually a big surprise. I didn’t expect it, that’s for sure."
But it was well deserved, as she played a big role in helping the Crazy Horses win the club rugby final, leading to her elevation to the Spirit this season, which she was loving.
"It’s a pretty cool environment to be in.
"I feel like we’re building each week and getting a bit better."
They will need to draw upon those gains when they play the Cyclones, who are unbeaten.
Coach Craig Sneddon was under no illusions how tough the game would be for his side, but they were up for the challenge.
"Obviously they’ve come down from the Premiership as well," Sneddon said.
"They’ve got some pretty good players — they’ve got a really good loose trio.
"We’re definitely going to have to work hard but . . . we had a good win against North Harbour and I felt like we’d been building momentum each week."
Farah Palmer Cup
Logan Park No 6, today, 2.05pm
Otago Spirit: Sheree Hume, Te Atawhai Campbell, Cheyenne Cunningham, Keely Hill, Jamie Church, Maia Joseph, Georgia Cormick, Bella Rewiri-Wharerau, Leah Miles, Zoe Whatarau, Julia Gorinski, Kayley Johnson, Rebekah Wairau, Tegan Hollows, Eilis Doyle. Reserves: Paige Church, Isla Pringle, Pesalini Lave-Heehau, Sammie Bean, Hannah Lithgow, Abigail Paton, Oceana Campbell, Charlotte Va’afusuaga
Manawatu Cyclones: Selica Winiata, Ruci Malanicagi, Hollyrae Mete, Rangimarie Sturmey, Jashana Te Uawiri, Corrineke Windle, Paige Lush, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Rhiarna Ferris, Layla Sae, Rachael Rakatau, Kahurangi Sturmey, Marilyn Fanoga, Sosoli Talawadua, Traest Mafile’o. Reserves: Te Uarangi Olsen-Baker, Sam Taylor,
Ngano Tawake, Caitlin Burt Poloai, Elinor-Plum King, Mia Maraku, Maia Davis, Rebekah Cordeo-Tufuiga.
