Photo: NRL.com.au
The Indigenous and Maori All Stars teams have been announced for this Saturday’s clash in Sydney.
Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga will line up for the Maori at Parramatta stadium after Taine Tuaupiki and Adam Pompey were replaced by Kodi Nikorima and Reuben Porter.
Ponga told NRL.com.au that he is looking forward to playing for the Maori for the first time in five years.
“I’m back, first time since 2020 … I wanted to reconnect and I’ve been injured every year,” he told the NRL website.
“Every pre-season I’ve had something that’s put me out for four-to-six weeks – whether media have known about it or not – but I can’t go into a camp without having the preparation.
“I wouldn’t go into an All Stars game if I didn’t feel fully fit. I’ve had a good pre-season. I feel good,” Ponga declared.
Ponga was born in Port Hedland, WA, to New Zealand parents.
The Indigenous Women’s All Stars will feature Titans speedster Jaime Chapman and Dally M Medallist Olivia Kernick against a Maori Women’s side that features Raecene McGregor and Shannon Mato.
The event will include a clash between the Indigenous and Maori touch football teams.
The season kicks off in Las Vegas on Sunday, March 2, with the Raiders taking on the NZ Warriors and Panthers meeting the Sharks in the men’s competition. The Jillaroos meet England in a women’s Test clash on the same day at the same venue.
TEAMS
- Indigenous All Stars (men): Jacob Alick-Wiencke, Jayden Campbell, Joshua Curran, Tallis Duncan, Brian Kelly, Josh Kerr, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Dylan Lucas, Shaquai Mitchell, Tyrone Munro, Brent Naden, Hohepa Puru, Niwhai Puru, Ethan Roberts, Blake Steep, Jayden Sullivan, Jacob Sykes, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Connor Watson, Jack Wighton. Coach: Ronald Griffiths.
- Maori All Stars (men): Jesse Arthars, Zach Dockar-Clay, James Fisher-Harris, Dane Gagai, Mawene Hiroti, Royce Hunt, Keano Kini, Jacob Laban, Jeremy Marshall-King, Jesse McLean, Kurtis Morrin, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Kodi Nikorima, Kalyn Ponga, Reuben Porter, Jordan Riki, Jazz Tevaga, Leo Thompson, William Warbrick, Xavier Willison. Coach: Adam Blair.
- Indigenous All Stars (women): Essay Banu, Jaime Chapman, Bree Chester, Nakia Davis-Welsh, Kirra Dibb, Quincy Dodd, Monique Donovan, Taliah Fuimaono, Tallisha Harden, Keilee Joseph, Tommaya Kelly-Sines, Grace Kemp, Olivia Kernick, Ella Koster, Bobbi Law, Evah McEwen, Lailani Montgomery, Mahalia Murphy, Jasmine Peters, Taneka Todhunter. Coach: Jess Skinner.
- Maori All Stars (women): Lilly-Ann White, Annessa Biddle, Harata Butler, Kennedy Cherrington, Rueben Cherrington, Laikha Clarke, Zali Fay, Najvada George, Taneisha Gray, Tyla King, Shannon Mato, Kerehitina Matua, Raecene McGregor, Shanice Parker, Rima Pirini Butler, Ashleigh Quinlan, Tiana Raftstrand-Smith, Jasmin Strange, Pauline Suli-Ruka, Chante Temara. Coach: Keith Hanley.
