As well as being a showcase of culture and pride, the men’s and women’s NRL Harvey Norman All Stars games often provide a glimpse of some of the stars of the future.
Now a key member of the Brisbane Broncos forward pack with 45 games under his belt, Māori All Star Jordan Riki hasn't yet made his NRL debut before being called into the side in 2020.
This year there are a number of players in both men’s sides who are yet to feature at the top level, but have the opportunity to test themselves against some of the best in the game at Rotorua International Stadium.
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Gold Coast Titans train-and-trial player Creedence Toia, Hostplus Cup Redcliffe Dolphins hooker Sheldon Pitama and Penrith forward Preston Riki are three such players in the men’s Māori All Stars squad, while the Indigenous All Stars have called in forward Bailey Butler.
Indigenous men’s All Stars coach Ronald Griffiths said the game was often a great way to push players to step up and show what they can do.
“There’s been several players who have debuted after playing in this game who hadn’t played first grade prior,” Griffiths said.
“This game is about catalyst for change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it’s also a catalyst for change in terms of players who are not playing at the highest level.
They get an opportunity that allows them to be seen by NRL clubs, but also it might provide that little bit of inspiration that they need to fulfil a dream or live out a dream with hard work, so I think that is what the game lends itself to doing each year.
“We will see some great stories come out of it and I have no doubt this year will be no different.”
Indigenous All Stars forward Ryan James – who is taking part in his final game of professional rugby league – has seen first-hand how players step up in this arena.
“This game has elevated a lot of people that haven't had the opportunity to play first grade to go on and play first grade, whether be from the Māori team or our team,” James said.
“Over the last couple of years, you would have seen heaps of boys debut after this game and (it’s good for someone like me) just to be able to be there and guide them and help them through probably nervous times, since they've never been part of systems.
“But that's what this game is about, bringing everyone together and hopefully giving them the opportunity to further their career.
“And someone like Bailey who’s been playing Hostplus Cup; from everything I've seen so far, he's going to be a great player.”
Overall, there have been eight male players go on and make their NRL debut after first featuring on the big stage with the NRL All Stars.
The women’s All Stars game has always included a large number of players yet to debut in the NRLW, and since 2019 there have been 22 players who had not featured in the NRLW take part in the representative match.
While not all of those players have yet gone on to play in the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership, in both 2020 and 2021 there were 16 uncapped players taking to the field, while in 2022 there were 17.
In the 2023 edition, there will be seven players who are still pushing to make their NRLW debuts in Mia Middleton, Sareka Mooka, Ahlivia Ingram, Essay Banu and Bree Chester in the Indigenous side and Kahu Cassidy and Aaliyah Paki in the Māori team.
Players who played All Stars before NRL
Indigenous Men’s All Stars
Chris Grevsmuhl (2015)
Josh Kerr (2019)
Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (2020)
Zac Saddler (2020 and 2021)
Shaquai Mitchell (2022)
Māori Men’s All Stars
Jordan Riki (2020)
Jackson Topine (2021)
Wiremu Greig (2021)
*Statistics courtesy of League Information Services