The scoreboard stands at one win apiece after the Indigenous women's team got revenge on their Maori opponents in last year's Harvey Norman All Stars clash.
The 2021 fixture, the first of a double-header at Queensland Country Bank Stadium with the men's game, will contain a strong contingent of NRLW talent as well as providing a platform for promising players.
Twenty of the 36 players named in both squads have got NRLW experience, including international representatives like Corban McGregor, Botille Vette-Welsh, Zahara Temara and Tallisha Harden.
McGregor has been named captain of the Maori side with Harden set to lead the Indigenous team.
Belinda Sharpe will referee the match, with Wyatt Raymond and Nick Pelgrave the tough judges.
The rundown
Team news
Indigenous All Stars: There are no game-day changes for this side, but the changes from last season start from the top, with Ian Bourke taking the coaching clipboard from Ben Jeffries.
While injuries have played a part in creating a vastly different team – only Kaitlyn Phillips, Quincy Dodd, Caitlan Johnson, Shaniah Power, Shaylee Bent and Tallisha Harden remain from last year's 10-4 victory – there is still ability and enthusiasm across the park.
Young Dragons back Jaime Chapman is in the squad while Samoan international Tahlia Fuimaono and Akira Kelly to form a new halves combination and combine with rising Rooster Dodd at hooker.
Harden, Dodd, Bent, Taleena Simon and Power have all played State of Origin and will be among those looking to lead the charge.
Maori All Stars: Like the Indigenous side, a new coach is on board with Keith Hanley aiming to build on the foundation laid by Rusty Matua.
And the Maori all have a fresh forward pack including Roosters duo Nita Maynard and Kennedy Cherrington, former Kiwi Fern Rona Peters and her Queensland teammate Shannon Mato.
There was one chance on game day with Hayley Tipene replacing Lavinia Gould at lock and Tazmin Gray joining the bench.
The backline has plenty of star power with Botille Vette-Welsh and Corban McGregor while there's ample playmaking nous in the form of Zahara Temara and Raecene McGregor.
Rugby sevens Olympic gold medallist Amy Turner will feature as well as Roxy Murdoch, the ex-Warrington Wolves captain.
Match: Indigenous v Maori
Round 1 -
home Team
Indigenous
away Team
Maori
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Indigenous is number 1 Jaime ChapmanFullback for Maori is number 1 Botille Vette-Welsh
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Winger for Indigenous is number 2 Taleena SimonWinger for Maori is number 2 Zali Fay
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Centre for Indigenous is number 3 Monique DonovanCentre for Maori is number 3 Corban Baxter
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Centre for Indigenous is number 4 Jasmine PetersCentre for Maori is number 4 Amy Turner
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Winger for Indigenous is number 5 Leticia Haas-QuinlanWinger for Maori is number 5 Shanice Parker
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Five-Eighth for Indigenous is number 6 Taliah FuimaonoFive-Eighth for Maori is number 6 Raecene McGregor
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Halfback for Indigenous is number 7 Akira KellyHalfback for Maori is number 7 Zahara Temara
Forwards
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Prop for Indigenous is number 8 Kaitlyn PhillipsProp for Maori is number 8 Rona Peters
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Hooker for Indigenous is number 9 Quincy DoddHooker for Maori is number 9 Nita Maynard
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Prop for Indigenous is number 10 Caitlan JohnstonProp for Maori is number 10 Shannon Mato
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2nd Row for Indigenous is number 11 Shaniah Power2nd Row for Maori is number 11 Kennedy Cherrington
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2nd Row for Indigenous is number 12 Shaylee Bent2nd Row for Maori is number 12 Crystal Tamarua
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Lock for Indigenous is number 13 Tallisha HardenLock for Maori is number 13 Hayley Tipene
Interchange
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Interchange for Indigenous is number 14 Lailee PhillipsInterchange for Maori is number 14 Jodeci Nicholson
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Interchange for Indigenous is number 15 Keilee JosephInterchange for Maori is number 15 Mya Hill-Moana
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Interchange for Indigenous is number 16 Olivia KernickInterchange for Maori is number 16 Roxette Murdoch
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Interchange for Indigenous is number 17 Abelee StanleyInterchange for Maori is number 17 Tazmin Gray
Reserves
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Reserve for Indigenous is number 18 Ngalika BarkerReserve for Maori is number 18 Page McGregor
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Quincy Dodd v Lavinia Gould. The 20-year-old Dodd has continued to impress, playing a key role at dummy-half for the Roosters last year to earn a NSW cap and Australian merit team selection. She's up against the experienced Gould, who will be keen to impress after her NRLW campaign with the Broncos was cut short by a leg injury.
Stat attack
While men's All Stars games are often high-scoring affairs, the opposite is true for women's fixtures. In 2017, when the Indigenous team faced a general All Stars outfit, the score was 14-4. After a year off, the Maori team's introduction in 2019 resulted in an 8-4 win before the Indigenous side triumphed 10-4 in 2020.
Key Timings (AEST)
- 4.00pm – Gates open
- 4.40pm – Kick-off: Indigenous Women’s All-Stars v NZ Māori Ferns
- 5.17pm – Women's half-time
- 6.06pm – Women's full-time
- 6:50pm – Pre-game entertainment commences
- 7.10pm – Kick-off: Australian Indigenous Men's All-Stars v NZ Māori Kiwis
- 8.01pm – Half-time
- 9.07pm – Full-time
Match Highlights: Indigenous All Stars v Maori Ferns
Transport and Parking
Walking is the best way to access the stadium precinct. The precinct is a short walk from the CBD (approx.1.2km), walk via:
- Lowths Bridge (closed to traffic from TBC for this event) – north of the Stadium
- Central Park Bike & Pedestrian Pathways – north of the Stadium
- Little Fletcher Street Bridge – south of the Stadium
Park and ride
There is a free park and ride service operating from Lou Litster Park for this event. Services will run regularly between 4pm-7pm and will recommence from 9pm for return journeys. Access to Lou Litster Park is via Brodie Street.
Parking
Please note there is NO public parking at the venue.
Townsville CBD Parking: Ample parking is available in the Townsville CBD and surrounding suburbs. Please ensure you check local parking signage.
Reid Park: Make your visit to this event easy by pre-booking a parking space at Reid Park. The car park will open at 3pm and will close at 10pm. Access via Pit Lane on Saunders Street.
Click here for full information on getting to Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
How is Queensland Country Bank Stadium reducing risk of COVID-19?
- Extra cleaning and sanitisation pre-, during and post-event with a focus on high traffic areas like handrails
- Increased health and hygiene signage
- Patrons displaying COVID-19 symptoms (cough, sore throat, shortness in breath) will not be permitted
- Segmented seating zones (with dedicated staff, food and beverage and amenities to reduce contact and congestion points)
- Cashless payments for food and beverage purchase
Ticket Inclusion Collection Locations
Ticket inclusion collection points below, only applicable to those that have purchased within those categories.
- Supporter and Try Zone Collection Point: Collect from the top of the Gate A Tail next to the Entrance Bar, closest to Aisle 122
- Terrace Club and Sky Deck Club collections can be collected upon entry to their seats.
Pre-Game Party Information
The Official All-Stars Pre-Game Party is brought to you by NRL Travel where you can meet and mingle with NRL Legends ahead of the game. The pre-game party provides you access to the Sky Deck North at Queensland Country Bank Stadium ahead of the game making it the perfect place to get excited with friends before the opening game for 2021.
Guests that have purchased the pre-game party inclusion can enter via Gate G from 2:00pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Sat 20 Feb 2021.
Guest Names will be on a list for the pre-game party, these will be as per your Ticketmaster booking. Please bring your ID.
You will also require your game ticket to access the venue.
- Event starts: 2:15pm
- Event wrap-up: 3:45pm (you can begin making your way to your seats once gates open at 4pm which will be at stadium staff direction).
Witness the best of the best from both sides of the Tasman. As athletes and as people from the First Nations.
Hear us. See us.
Be there as cultures collide.
Tickets are available at NRL Tickets.
