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.
Match: Indigenous v Maori
Round 1 -
home Team
Indigenous
away Team
Maori
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
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.
Match: Indigenous v Maori
Round 1 -
home Team
Indigenous
away Team
Maori
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Indigenous is number 1 Tamika UptonFullback for Maori is number 1 Corban Baxter
-
Winger for Indigenous is number 2 Monique DonovanWinger for Maori is number 2 Zali Fay
-
Centre for Indigenous is number 3 Jaime ChapmanCentre for Maori is number 3 Shanice Parker
-
Centre for Indigenous is number 4 Bobbi LawCentre for Maori is number 4 Botille Vette-Welsh
-
Winger for Indigenous is number 5 Kimberley HuntWinger for Maori is number 5 Jasmin Strange
-
Five-Eighth for Indigenous is number 6 Taliah FuimaonoFive-Eighth for Maori is number 6 Raecene McGregor
-
Halfback for Indigenous is number 7 Kirra DibbHalfback for Maori is number 7 Zahara Temara
Forwards
-
Prop for Indigenous is number 8 Tommaya Kelly-SinesProp for Maori is number 8 Shannon Mato
-
Hooker for Indigenous is number 9 Quincy DoddHooker for Maori is number 9 Destiny Brill
-
Prop for Indigenous is number 10 Tallisha HardenProp for Maori is number 10 Mya Hill-Moana
-
2nd Row for Indigenous is number 11 Olivia Kernick2nd Row for Maori is number 11 Annessa Biddle
-
2nd Row for Indigenous is number 12 Shaylee Bent2nd Row for Maori is number 12 Kennedy Cherrington
-
Lock for Indigenous is number 13 Keilee JosephLock for Maori is number 13 Brooke Anderson
Interchange
-
Interchange for Indigenous is number 14 Taneka TodhunterInterchange for Maori is number 14 Ashleigh Quinlan
-
Interchange for Indigenous is number 15 Grace KempInterchange for Maori is number 15 Kerehitina Matua
-
Interchange for Indigenous is number 16 Janelle WilliamsInterchange for Maori is number 16 Rima Butler
-
Interchange for Indigenous is number 17 Mahalia MurphyInterchange for Maori is number 17 Chanté Temara
Reserves
-
Reserve for Indigenous is number 18 Jasmine PetersReserve for Maori is number 18 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
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.
