The All Stars game between the Indigenous and Maori sides has ended in a 10-all draw in wet conditions at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
As always, the two teams set the scene for an explosive encounter with a pair of spine-tingling war cries.
Whilst the hostilities would continue into the match, points failed to follow as a Jamal Fogerty penalty goal was all that separated the two teams after 40 minutes.
The Maori outfit would take advantage of dominant field possession with Jordan Riki crossing for the first try of the match with captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak shortly following him over.
However, the Indigenous team refused to give up, with an Alex Johnson try and a pair of Latrell Mitchell goals levelling the match after 80 minutes.
With no golden point played for the opening men’s match of the rugby league calendar, the game would end in a historic draw.
Despite the lack of points, there will be plenty of concern for coaches as Michael Maguire and the Tigers look set to go into round one without Zane Musgrove, with the prop sin-binned and placed on report after a shoulder charge.
Meanwhile, Watene-Zelezniak will have a nervous wait after his own high shot just moments before his try.
Panthers and Maori prop James Fisher-Harris was named Preston Campbell Medalist after a dominant showing in the front-row.
Follow our live recap of the match below
INDIGENOUS ALL-STARS V MAORI LIVE RESULTS AND BLOG
10:26 – FIsher-Harris named Preston Campbell Medalist
Panthers and Maori prop James Fisher-Harris was named Preston Campbell Medalist after a dominant showing in the front-row.
Fisher-Harris made 26 tackles to go with 16 runs for 137 metres and two tackle busts.
10:12 – It’s a draw!
Can you believe it! After 80 minutes neither team could be split as it ends 10-all.
Given the sloppy start to the game, it’s probably a fair result, however, the Maori side will be kicking themselves that they couldn’t close it out.
10:10 – All level up
Incredible scenes as the Indigenous All Stars levelled the scores after a late penalty.
The incident came on the last tackle, with James Fisher-Harris cleaning up the marker as he went to dive on a loos ball.
He would give up a soft penalty, allowing Mitchell to even it up.
10-all
9:50 – Indigenous fight back through a pair of Bunnies
The Indigenous All Stars have bounced back thanks to a pair of Rabbitohs.
With the game on the line, Latrell Mitchell would deliver a perfect grubber to winger Alex Johnson, with Johnson doing what he does best as he put the ball over the line.
Mitchell would slot the conversion from the sidelines, setting up a grandstand finish. Maori 10-8.
Safe to say he was pretty excited about the effort…
9:41 – Peachey sent for ten
Indigenous lock Tyrone Peachey has ended the third quarter on a sour note, sin-binned in the final minute.
After a frustrating night, Peachey would knock over Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad as he tried to take a quick tap, giving the referee no other option.
9:35 – DWZ goes from zero to hero
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will have a nervous wait heading into round one after being placed on report for a high tackle.
The Maori winger collided with the head of Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnson as the pair went for a loose ball
He would redeem himself just tackles later, finishing off an incredible intercept by Joseph Manu to extend their lead. 10-2 Maori.
9:30 – Maori score first try
Finally, we have the first try of this game nearly 50 minutes into the contest, with Jordan Riki crossing the line from close range.
It would be the Marshalls that would set it up, with Jeremy Marshall-King finding older brother Benji, delivering a flat ball to the Bronco.
Riki’s 190cm frame was too tough for Fogerty to stop, giving the Maori side a well deserved 6-2 lead.
Fun Fact: Riki was three when Benji made his first grade debut. The more you know!
9:04 – Rain, defence dominant half
The wet conditions in Townsville have played havoc in the first half, with just two points scored in the first half.
Neither team was willing to relent, showing some incredible goal-line defence to keep the game try-less after 40 minutes.
Given the intensity of the game, it’s safe to call it one of the more exciting games without a try.
8:58 – Musgrove sin-binned
Maori prop Zane Musgrove has been cited and sent for ten after a shoulder charge.
As tempers continued to boil over in the humid conditions, Musgrove would launch himself at Tyrell Fuimaono, delivering a shoulder charge.
This would earn him ten in a bin as well as being placed on report.
It continues his off-season from hell, fined by police after an incident at the Coogee Bay Hotel in January.
8:40 – Indigenous strike first
The Indigenous All Stars have taken a 2-0 lead into the first quarter.
The first 10 minutes would be dominated by the Maori side, earning countless attacks inside the Indigenous 20.
However, a lazy penatly in the final minute would gift Titans halfback Jamal Fogerty an easy shot at goal.
8:10 – Chills
Unbelievable scenes as both teams delivered their war crys.
Led by Issac Luke and Patrick Herbert, the Maori side delivered probably one of the best ones in the short history of the All Stars game.
This was followed by Latrell Mitchell and the Indigenous side, who once again put an incredible war cry together.
The image of Mitchell poking his head up will remain iconic with the game for years to come.
7:50: Teams confirmed
The two sides have confirmed their teams ahead of the All Stars game.
Canberra Raiders winger Bailey Simonsson was a late withdrawal with the Maori side, replaced by Cowboys forward Wiremu Greig.
7:30: Domination
The Maori All Stars have continued their stranglehold over the women’s fixture, defeating the Indigenous side 24-0.
Raecene McGregor would be the shining light for the Maori, crossing for a double as they shut out their opposition in wet conditions.
7:15: A new contender has entered
You have to feel for Sharks halfback Chad Townsend.
A simple question over who would win tonight has gone viral after Townsend put the wrong team in the poll.
We’ll take this as a sign he’s siding with club team-mate Andrew Fifita and the Indigenous All-Stars
7:00: McGregors take over
This game is a McGregor show and we’ve got a front-row seat to watch it.
All three McGregors combined for the latest try, with Raecene starting the move to Corban, finding Page McGregor with one of her first touches to extend their lead to 20-0.
They would add to this before the third-quarter break as Raecene crossed for her double, heading into the break up 24-0.
6:20: Maori continue dominance into half-time
The Maori All Stars have dominated the first half, capping off their efforts with a try to Shanice Parker.
The second quarter of the game was dominated by defence and the rain as both sides struggled with possession.
With the clock winding down, Roosters winger Shanice Parker would take advantage of a quick tap, beating three Indigenous defenders to push their lead to 16-0.
6:00: Fergy Flip
Blake Ferguson and his flip are becoming staples of the All Stars game, with the Eels winger showing some incredible skills to pull off the manoeuvre.
After a lacklustre 2020, Ferguson is eager to start with a bang for the Indigenous All-Stars.
“This year is a big year for me because I’m 31 and I’m off-contract and I need to provide for my family,” Ferguson told Big Sports Breakfast. “But I also want to prove to myself that I’ve still got it.
“A lot of people were saying ‘he’s not capable of performing at his best every week’ (last year)… but to hell with that.”
Let’s hope tonight we see more of this and he adds to the collection.
5:55 pm: Amy Turner continues Maori onslaught
The wet Townsville conditions are failing to halt the Maori’s impressive start to the game, with centre Amy Turner crossing for the second try of the match.
Despite the downpour, the Maori side has impressed with ball in hand, completing six of their first seven sets.
They would eventually turn the pressure into points, with the union convert going over untouched to extend the margin to 12-0.
5:45 pm: Raecene McGregor opens scoring in Women’s All Stars game
Kiwi Ferns five-eighth Raecene McGregor has opened the scoring for the Maori side within the first ten minutes of the women’s All-Star games.
The Bronco took advantage of a perfect kick by Zahara Temara, which rebounded off the up-rights to allow McGregor to place the ball down right under the posts.
5:40 pm: Intense war cries set the scene
One of the highlights of the All-Stars game is watching the two sides deliver their respective war cries, with the Women’s teams setting the platform for an incredible night of football.
4:00 pm: Mason calls for Pacific All-Stars team
Former Australian and NRL All-Stars prop Willie Mason believes the annual All-Stars fixture has the potential to make a similarly lasting impact on the game, and wants to see a Pacific Island side introduced over the next few years.
Speaking to Sporting News ahead of the match in Townsville this weekend, Mason believes that it’s time to look towards expanding the concept.
“It’s a great concept and I don’t think people realise how much it means to the Indigenous and the Maori boys – it just means so much,” Mason told Sporting News.
“You see with the hakas, the boys are crying because it means so much to be representing their families and their people, and the last couple of years have really showcased that.
“I think somehow, they need to introduce a Pacific or Polynesian All-Stars as well. That’s when it’s gonna happen. That’ll be unreal.”
WHAT CHANNEL IS THE INDIGENOUS ALL STARS V MAORI ALL STARS GAME ON?
Both All-Stars matches will be live on 9Gem , with coverage starting from 5:30 pm with the women’s game
You can also watch the match live via stream on the 9Now app – which is available on Smart TV’s, Android devices, Apple devices, tablets and desktops.
Replays of the match will also be accessible through the 9Now pp after its completion.
Alternatively. the matches will be shown on Foxtel on Fox League 502
You can catch all the proceedings LIVE through Kayo Sports here.
WHAT TIME IS INDIGENOUS ALL STARS V MAORI ALL STARS?
The women’s game will kick off proceedings from 5:10 pm.
This will be followed by the men’s game, which is slated to kick off at 8:10 pm
INDIGENOUS ALL STARS V MAORI ALL STARS SQUADS
Indigenous Women’s All-Stars v Maori Women’s All-Stars
Indigenous All Stars: 1. Jaime Chapman 2. Taleena Simon 3. Monique Donovan 4. Jasmine Peters 5. Leticia Quinlan 6. Taliah Fuimaono 7. Akira Kelly 8. Kaitlyn Phillips 9. Quincy Dodd 10. Caitlan Johnston 11. Shaniah Power 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Tallisha Harden 14. Lailee Phillips 15. Keilee Joseph 16. Olivia Kernick 17. Abelee Stanley 18. Ngalika Barker
Maori All Stars: 1. Corban McGregor 2. Botille Vette-Welsh 3. Amy Turner 4. Hayley Tipene 5. Jodeci Nicholson 6. Zahara Temara 7. Crystal Tamarua 8. Nita Maynard 9. Kennedy Cherrington 10. Mya Hill-Moana 11. Zali Fay 12. Rona Peters 13. Lavinia Gould 14. Shannon Mato 15. Raecene McGregor 16. Roxy Murdoch 17. Page Mcgregor 18. Shanice Parker
Indigenous Men’s All-Stars v Maori Men’s All-Stars
Indigenous All Stars: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Blake Ferguson 3. Jack Wighton 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Alex Johnston 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Reuben Cotter 10. Josh Kerr 11. David Fifita 12. Tyrell Fuimaono 13. Tyrone Peachey 14. Corey Thompson 15. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 16. Cade Cust 17. Chris Smith 18. Zac Saddler 19. Josh Curran 20. Brian Kelly
Maori All Stars: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Joey Manu 4. Dylan Walker 5. Patrick Herbert 6. Jarome Luai 7. Benji Marshall 8. Russell Packer 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Briton Nikora 12. Jordan Riki 13. Joseph Tapine 14. Issac Luke 15. Emry Pere 16. Zane Musgrove 17. Jackson Topine 18. Esan Marsters 20. Daejarn Asi 22. Wiremu Greig
Josh Addo-Carr has been replaced in the Indigenous side by Gold Coast Titans flyer Corey Thompson.
The Maori team, meanwhile, has been forced into more of an overhaul with Russell Packer, Esan Marsters, Daejarn Asi, Emry Pere, Issac Luke and Jackson Topine all coming in at the expense of Reimis Smith, Jahrome Hughes, Jesse Bromwich, Brandon Smith, Kenneath Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Canberra Raiders winger Bailey Simonsson was a late withdrawal, replaced by Cowboys forward Wiremu Greig.
WHO HAS WON THE PAST ALL STARS GAMES?
Men’s
2010: Indigenous All Stars
2011: NRL All Stars
2012: NRL All Stars
2013: Indigenous All Stars
2015: Indigenous All Stars
2016: World All Stars
2017: Indigenous All Stars
2019: Indigenous All Stars
2020: Maori All Stars
Women’s
2011: Women’s All Stars
2013: Women’s All Stars
2014: Women’s All Stars
2015: Women’s All Stars
2016: Women’s All Stars
2017: Indigenous Women’s All Stars
2019: Māori Women’s All Stars
2020: Māori Women’s All Stars
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