Ili brothers Stacey and Shea make big sporting stage

Stacey Ili will line up for the Melbourne Rebels in their Super Rugby clash against the ACT Brumbies from 2pm before Shea suits up for Melbourne United versus the Illawarra Hawks at John Cain Arena just one hour later.

Ili brothers Stacey and Shea ahead of Sunday where they will share the Melbourne sporting stage in rugby union and basketball. Picture: Getty Images

From the driveway in Auckland to sharing the same stage in Melbourne in two different professional sports, the Ili brothers Stacey and Shea have come a long way.

On Friday, the Ili siblings came together at AAMI Park as they prepare to play on Sunday in rugby union and basketball respectively.

Stacey Ili will line up for the Melbourne Rebels in their Super Rugby clash against the ACT Brumbies from 2pm before Shea suits up for Melbourne United versus the Illawarra Hawks at John Cain Arena just one hour later.

Stacey Ili (left) will line up for the Melbourne Rebels in their Super Rugby clash against the ACT Brumbies from 2pm before Shea Ili suits up for Melbourne United versus the Illawarra Hawks at John Cain Arena just one hour later. Photo: Graham Denholm/Getty Images.

The talented brothers’ rise to the highest stage in their chosen sports certainly isn’t taken for granted.

“It is unreal - who would have thought that we’d be in a different city at the top of our sports playing professionally.

“It is good to have Shae around in Melbourne and it is just like back in the day kicking the ball around at home, up and down the driveway.

“Things like that never get old when you are with your family or brother – I’m just enjoying it.”

The Ili brothers are a year apart in age – Stacey 29 and Shae 28 – so they played together in most sports growing up in New Zealand until they went their separate ways after school.

As for which brother receives the most television attention from the family back home in Auckland, the siblings were refreshingly honest.

“They will probably see who is playing better and they’ll switch over to who is getting the job done,” Shae joked.

Laughs aside, Shae feels honoured to play professional sport in the same city as his older brother.

“You hear about siblings playing in the same sport professionally, but to actually play is pretty cool,” he said.

“The other day I was watching him play and it was just awesome to see him playing the sport he loves in Melbourne.”

Shae Ili is a key player for Melbourne United. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross.

On the court, Shae is looking forward to helping United continue their winning ways when they face the Illawarra Hawks on Sunday.

“They (the Hawks) were great at the start of the season and they are still finding their way as a team, so it will be a good game,” he said.

“Everyone here at United is locked in and loaded for this season and everyone is excited to get wins and we’ve shown that on the floor throughout the season.”

Originally published as Ili brothers Stacey and Shea make big sporting stage