Jarryd Hayne and Nathan Peats have played together at both the Parramatta Eels and the Gold Coast Titans. But on Wednesday night, a family bond that goes back more than three decades will become even stronger when the pair run out on to Suncorp Stadium together for the first time as NSW Blues players.
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The fathers of Hayne and Peats were best friends in high school. But it wasn't until Hayne's mother popped into Woy Woy last year that their mothers finally met.
Pam Richards (Peats' mum) and Jodie Hayne will be in the stands together on Wednesday night after they struck up a friendship last year, when Richards recognised Hayne's mother in her retail store.
"We've only really just connected to tell you the truth," Richards said.
"She lives up in Umina and I live on the Central Coast as well. About a year ago she came into the shop and we've connected ever since. When I saw her, I knew who she was. I just went up to her and said, 'Hi, I'm Pam - Nathan's mum'. We get on great. We've connected at this time of year because it's exciting. This is her 21st Origin with Jarryd and this is Nathan's first. She just said to enjoy it all and take it all in.
"The boys have had that connection over the years because their dads were friends. Manoa (Thompson) and Geordi (Peats) were best friends and both played in the NRL. They went to high school together. It's funny how the boys ended up playing together at Parra and then at the Titans and now in the Blues. It's exciting. The boys are up on the Gold Coast now with young kids. They were pretty close at Parra before they went their own ways. Then they came together again at the Titans."
Peats' partner, Jade Morris Ruka, is due to give birth to the couple's second child on July 4 - the day the Blues are meant to come into camp for Origin III. It's also a fortnight after Origin II, however she is planning to attend the match in Sydney on June 21.
"I think she'll be cleared to come down but we'll just have to see how she's feeling," Richards said.
"All the family is in Sydney, so if something does happen while she's down it will be OK."
"I miss them not being here. Even being on the Central Coast I would be there in 58 minutes. Being able to see my grandson Leyton, but once we moved that was hard.
"I take it when I can now. He can't get down here very often obviously because of training and they hardly have an off-season any more."
