Rugby and League Greats Honoured in Aotearoa Sports Mullet Hall of Fame

Aotearoa’s sporting history is being celebrated through a unique lens as The Spinoff highlights the legendary status of the mullet in the nation’s athletic culture. On 28 August 2026, staff writer Emma Gleason published a "Hall of Fame" documenting the hairstyle’s peak years across various sporting codes, noting that while the look has recently returned to the mainstream, New Zealand athletes were the true pioneers. Among those recognised for their iconic style is former All Black number eight Zinzan Brooke. The publication noted that Brooke’s thick, well-balanced mullet reached its "full glory" in 1989. The hairstyle became a signature look for the rugby great during a period where he was equally renowned for his mastery of the drop goal. The report suggests the mullet provided a practical advantage for athletes, helping to minimise distractions from sweat while providing a distinct, high-impact aesthetic during competition. Rugby league legend Hitro Okesene was also highlighted for his contribution to the style's legacy. Known as "Nitro," Okesene’s mullet became a symbol of a significant era for the New Zealand Warriors in the mid-1990s. The publication noted that his look has been immortalised on trading cards, remaining a point of nostalgic pride for fans of the code. The retrospective also included other sporting greats such as Olympic runner Sir John Walker, whose feathered look peaked in 1985, and Olympic rower Lynley Hannen, who made history in 1988 wearing a bleach-blonde mullet while winning New Zealand’s first women’s rowing medal. By documenting these styles, Gleason argues that the symbiotic relationship between Aotearoa's athletes and the mullet helped the hairstyle find its footing long before it became a modern fashion staple.