Maori team set for NRL All Stars fixture in 2019

Yeah - you clearly haven't read any of my posts. I'd advocate for the complete removal of the concept - clubs aren't given salary cap compensations for injuries in this game. And cause it's February, injuries happen. If I was going to go all SJW, I'd actually argue heavily for the creation of Pacific Island All stars team - for greater inclusivity and for the fact that Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands etc have produced some outstanding footballers recently and it is a great shame they are being ignored. Believe what you want. I'm not trying hide behind exploiting loopholes in the language.

The NRL usually has the habit of arranging things, that are either knocked on the head, are hardly success stories, or they do things on the run without thinking it through. Finally after the gimmicky All Star's concept has been tossed into the ordinary idea basket, they have used their collective heads, and come up with an idea that should have been introduced a few years ago. The Indigenous v Maoris match is a tremendous idea to celebrate these cultures that have been around for the ages. The players' commitment and passion and will to win, will not be in doubt. I can't believe it .The NRL has finally hit on 2 great ideas in a matter of weeks. The Immortals and Legends inclusions, and now this great cultures' match concept.

Who cares. Are we really going to be this pedantic about it?

Nat you are correct The term was used in the nba etc because it’s the best of everyone The NRL all stars was used because the indigenous team would play a group of people from everywhere - Lebanon, Italy, Samoa etc It’s more fitting to call this team the Australian indigenous team. They are representing their heritage in a meaningful match All star games are traditionally pure fun with no one playing defence or care who wins

Yes. It's purely about heritage. It's not an international test match governed under international rules.

I agree with Adam H and Spruce. Sorry Nat, but your entire argument is flawed and skewed. All Stars is a brand. All stars doesn't mean "all the stars"... otherwise the majority of the NRL should be playing in this game. Do not cheapen the concept or suggest that the Maori and Indigenous aren't "All Stars" by you twisted logic and perception. How dare you.

Silly comment

They considered Pasifika All Stars as the opponents for 2019 but it was deemed 'too culturally sensitive'. I would like to see Indigenous All Stars replace PM's XIII and play PNG at the end of the year. Really looking forward to next year's fixture.

Pasifika All Stars. Awesome. I hope someone at the NRL headquarters has the vision to do it.

Being Maori I'm all for this. I still remember the 2008 world cup opener: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk2Cwl_flZc&t=15s Best pre game eyeball-off/haka/challenge ever! Also wouldnt mind it if they alternate the maori teams with a polynesian (Maori could play in this one as well!) allstars or pasifika (Samoa/Tonga/Cooks/Fiji) all-stars team just to mix up the opposition for the indigenous team.

Are players like Valentine Holmes and Jordan McLean, who have a maori background but have committed to Australia, eligible?

About Time! Excellent move by the NRL! This game will be massive and one for the ages! Can't wait to see the passion from both teams.

Im tipping the bros to come out on top.

Craig - isn't that the RLWC or were you being ironic which is unusual on these pages? Would someone born in Ipswich with a maori grandparent be eligible??

Possibly, but you've supported my point. The NRL own the brand and these fellas play in the NRL, therefore, it's NRL All Stars is a weak conclusion at best. I've seen your posts on similar issues and if this was an All Star game that excluded Aboriginal and/or Maori players you'd be all over it like a 'wannabe' SJW. Stick to the sarcasm SM, googling a thesaurus does you no favours.

You were an annoying wannabe pedant, Nat. "All stars" is the brand of the match in question. NRL is the owner of the brand and operator of the match. It is the best of the indigenous heritage players, the best of the Maori heritage players - the stars of those heritages. Therefore NRL All-Stars.

No Adam. Don't try and taint me with your skewed perception of what I've said, my focus is on the word All. Does this game represent the NRL All Stars or a selected few by heritage only? I have no problem with the game, players or concept but it is not ALL is it? You skew toward 'White' to paint a R-a.c.i.s.t picture but where does any Tongan, Fijian, Samoan, PNG, Italian, Greek, Lebanesse, African, English, Irish et al brothers get there shot to play along side the best Australian or NZ players, Indigenous or otherwise? My point is, it's an All Star game between two heritage communities, not the 'NRL All Stars. I'm happy enough with Paul's answer, yours is very narrow focused designed to trap.

No Torres Strait Islander players allowed by your logic

So you're saying that Indigenous and Maori players aren't stars? Need a few white players in there for the concept to be called 'All Stars'?

Love this!! This is how the All Stars concept should have been from the beginning.