NRL Harvey Norman All Stars action comes to Townsville on Friday with the Indigenous Women's side hosting their Māori counterparts in North Queensland.
The Māori Women are the defending champs after scoring a last-minute win in front of their home supporters in Rotorua last year.
Coach Keith Hanley has retained most of the players from that team, including last year's co-captains Zahara Temara and Shannon Mato. The side are also boosted by the return of Raecene McGregor, Botille and Corban Baxter.
The Indigenous Women’s All Stars also features plenty of firepower, including Dally M Medal winner Tamika Upton and experienced rep players Jaime Chapman, Tallisha Harden and Shaylee Bent.
In a historic moment for the game, the Indigenous Women's side will be coached by Jessica Skinner, who has become the first female head coach of an All Stars side.
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The rundown
Team news
Indigenous All Stars: The side will take the field as named on Tuesday by rookie head coach Jess Skinner, with reigning Dally M Medal winner Tamika Upton leading from the back in her first All Stars game since 2022. Taliah Fuimaono will make her return from an ankle injury and play her first top-level game in almost seven months. Taneka Todhunter, Kimberley Hunt and Grace Kemp will all make their Indigenous debut.
Māori All Stars: No changes to the 18, with experienced trio Corban Baxter, Raecene McGregor and Botille Vette-Welsh all making their All Stars return after missing the 2023 fixture. Kiwi Ferns and Sharks powerhouse Annessa Biddle is one of three new faces and joins Rima Butler and Chante Temara in making her debut for the Māori.
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Stat Attack
- A Māori player has scored a double in this game in each of the past three years. Zali Fay did it last year, after Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly doing so in 2022 and Raecene McGregor in 2021.
- The Māori Women won the annual clash for the third time last year, while the Indigenous Women's side has won it twice.
- The Indigenous All Stars have scored just eight tries across the five clashes between the two sides.