Two Pouri's preceded Rakete-Stones: his father and his great-uncle. This name holds a special, almost sacred place in their family narrative, shaped by characters of formidable presence and old-school toughness. “It’s quite a sacred name in our family and has been passed down for a little while,” Rakete-Stones reveals. The legacy includes his great-uncle, a resilient Maori who chose a solitary life in the wilderness over a comfortable one, reflecting the rugged individualism that Pouri now brings onto the rugby field.
His father's influence was monumental, molding Pouri into a formidable athlete from a young age. As a national-level powerlifter, his father set towering standards both in domestic roles and in professional sports. "My dad was my rugby coach from when I was five up until I turned professional. He was tough, but he knew how to push me just enough," Pouri explains about the comprehensive training that prepared him for elite rugby.
"I’d come home from school and be hanging out for him to come home from work like, ‘Where is he? I want to go to the gym.’ We used to train together three or four times a week."
Embracing his Maori heritage, Rakete-Stones cherishes the dark jersey of the Maori All Blacks, an embodiment of his culture and identity which he values deeply. This connection was further highlighted by a memorable call-up to the team as he was heading to his grandmother's funeral, a moment of poignant significance that marked a milestone in his career. "When we put that jersey on, we are not only representing ourselves, it’s our family, all the little Maori kids running around wanting to be Maori All Blacks in future. Putting our culture out there," he passionately states.
Despite his profound connection to his Maori roots, Rakete-Stones is equally enthusiastic about his English lineage and his ambition to don the Red Rose jersey. His status as an English Qualified Player (EQP) made him an attractive prospect to Premiership clubs, and he’s candid about his aspirations.
"100%, I’ve always had big goals. I’m keen to push and play the best rugby I can and really strive to make that team."
Rakete-Stones joined Newcastle at a revolutionary time, with the club seeing a drastic transformation under Red Bull’s stewardship. This change brought financial stability and an influx of talent, signaling a promising future for the team. The prop sees this as an opportunity not just to advance his career but also to contribute to a burgeoning rugby culture in the region.
With his family settled in England's Northeast, and a career that has already seen him play key roles for the Hurricanes and Hawke’s Bay, Rakete-Stones is poised to make the most of his dual heritage. Whether it's the black and white of Hawke's Bay or the potential of England's white, Rakete-Stones is a player with lofty ambitions and the talent to match, eager to leave his mark in whichever jersey he wears.
