The Harvey Norman NRL All Stars return to Townsville for the second time in three years this Friday, as the Indigenous enjoy a return to home soil following last year’s victory over the Māori in New Zealand.
Ahead of what will be the sixth meeting between these two cultures, both sides have enjoyed two victories each, with the remaining match being a 10-10 draw back in 2021, ironically at the same venue at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
While first-year Māori coach Adam Blair has the benefit of having a host of Kiwi Test players available this year, Indigenous mentor Ronnie Griffiths’ line-up is less experienced, but one which has an embarrassment of riches in the backline led by Latrell Mitchell, Josh Addo-Carr and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
Clashes between these two sides have tended to be open attacking affairs, with three of their five meetings seeing at least 46 combined points scored, with no more than six points separating them at full-time since 2021.
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The rundown
Team news
Indigenous All Stars: The Indigenous side will line up as named with captain Latrell Mitchell, Josh Addo-Carr, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Kotoni Staggs and debutant Alofiana Khan-Pereira making up a sizzling back five while Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall are the halves. All Stars veteran Josh Kerr and Shaquai Mitchell are the props and Adam Elliott and Josh Curran will start in the second row. Bailey Biondi-Odo, Jordan Grant, Zac Fulton, Hohepa Puru and Kyle Laybutt are the other first-time All Stars reps.
Māori All Stars: One late change with Xavier Willison to start the game on All Stars debut and Royce Hunt going to the bench. Storm star Jahrome Hughes and Dolphins playmaker Kodi Nikorima get the nod in the halves with Jesse Arthars and Brandon Smith making up the spine. Briton Nikora, Kenny Bromwich and Joe Tapine make up a powerful back row. Jojo Fifita, Matt Timoko, Trey Mooney and Keenan Palasia make their All Stars debut.
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Stat attack
- Indigenous forward Josh Kerr is set to appear in this fixture for the sixth-straight season, making him the most experienced All Star on the field.
- Among the players selected for this year’s event, Josh Addo-Carr (2) has the most tries for the Indigenous, while for the Māori both Dane Gagai and Brandon Smith have scored two tries in All Stars matches.
- In their two prior meetings on Queensland soil there has been a draw (10-10 in 2021) and a 30-16 Māori win a year earlier.