The usual All Star fixture for the NRL is back next year, with a little twist. Instead of an All Star based team playing the Indigenous team, the former have been replaced with the ‘Maori’ All Star team.
As a Maori league lover I didn’t really take too much interest into the concept when first announced.
From first thought, I just assumed the Maoris would lack any depth to compete against the heavily favoured Indigenous squad. The Indigenous essentially boast the most lethal backs to select from, including Greg Inglis, Latrell Mitchell, Josh Addo-Carr, James Roberts, Blake Ferguson – the list goes on…
Once I gave the Maori team deeper thought, I essentially came up with a team and thought ‘Wow, this team could do some real damage’.
I looked deeply into my research to make sure the team I selected all had some form of Maori heritage within them and I’m fairly positive I have achieved that.
This is solely based on their heritage alone – given it’s a pre season fixture, a fair few may make themselves unavailable for the game.
That all being said, if I could field the absolute best of the Maori team next February, this is who I would field in my Top 17.
1. Valentine Holmes – in a field mixed full of really good fullback options, he just stands out that much more.
2. Dallin Watene Zelezniak – the current Kiwi captain has been in scintillating form. An absolute must for the Maoris.
3. Dane Gagai – previously already represented the Indigenous side as he hails from both backgrounds, but with the resurgence of Ferguson, Latrell and Addo-Carr since the last All-Star game, I dare say the outside back options for the Indigenous side are quite crowded.
Gagai has also said he’d love to represent his Maori side. What better time than now?
Dane Gagai of Australia at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup (NRLPhotos/Gregg Porteous)
4. Joseph Manu – the best centre in the world, currently. The closest option? His opposing number and team mate – Latrell Mitchell.
5. Jordan Rapana – speaks for itself, this selection. An absolute freak, a workhorse of a winger.
6. Kalyn Ponga – he may have passed up the chances to pick the Kiwis for the Kangaroos, but this is his chance to represent his culture, which is something very near and dear to his heart.
7. Nathan Cleary – Would he decide to play for a side he never really acknowledges? He would be a great addition.
8. Jesse Bromwich – No real argument here. Will be the packs leader, for sure.
9. Issac Luke – Just clips Brandon Smith for this role. Will essentially lead the haka, also.
Issac Luke of the Warriors. (AAP Image/David Rowland)
10. Jordan McLean – sounds as Australian as the next farmer, but McLean has Maori heritage. This would be his only chance to showcase it, and he’d be able to share it with a few former Storm teammates.
11. Kevin Proctor – a stalwart for the Kiwis, the Te Kuiti product is a must for the right edge.
12. Tohu Harris – remember when I said McLean would have a few former team mates? Here’s another. Will slot in perfect back to his original left edge side.
13. Adam Blair – the spirit leader of the pack. Will fight hard to lead the Haka with Luke.
Adam Blair with New Zealand (AAP Image/David Rowland)
14. Brandon Smith – the pocket rocket. Having taken over Luke’s role for the Kiwis, I see him as a perfect option for utility for this particular side.
15. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves – will provide great spark, impact and leadership off the bench. A must have.
16. Joseph Tapine – will provide some serious grunt and always plays above his size.
17. James Fisher Harris – this spot was a tough one with at least two other forwards really contesting. This spot given to him purely on form.
Unlucky omissions (Russell Packer and James Tamou).
As I said previously, this is the absolute best they could pick from. Whether some of the questionable picks (Ponga, Cleary and Gagai) offer themselves up for selection, will be a mystery – but if I could pick the best – this is who I’d select.
I know that the Indigenous team will be as stacked and star-studded as ever – but if we want to make this a competitive fixture, let’s pick the best we have.
Come on boys, make yourselves available and let’s do it!
Muzz
Guest
I'm scared.
Blahblah
Guest
That team is better than the kiwis
Knight Vision
Guest
Great team, the Maori team is stronger in the backline than I thought they would be. I imagine the indigenous side will be weaker in the forwards.
aem
Guest
Since when does Cleary have Maori heritage? Put Jahrome Hughes in that spot - it's not like he'd be out of place, talent-wise.
Nat
Roar Guru
Absolutely it should be played in the right spirit but no one likes losing, especially when representing your culture, so there will be a rivalry develop for sure. I would think the Haka, in whatever version, would be more appropriate for all involved. If you have the heritage and comfortable go for it, it may open new doors like it did for Wade Graham after his selection for the Indigenous All Stars.
Nat
Roar Guru
I won't pretend to be an expert of NZ indigenous relations but on my few trips over there that cultural integration was my big takeaway from my few trips to NZ. You are greeted in either language anywhere by anyone, some of the TV shows are in the native tongue and the respect for certain lands are adopted before consideration of economic viability. Obviously that is much harder to achieve with so many languages via different mobs in Australia but I've experienced first hand where our indigenous cultural regions are very much secondary to mining, housing etc.
Sammy
Guest
Of course traditional War Dances should be performed if the players choose - but it wouldn't make sense for Aussie Maori's to perform a version of the Haka that is already used by the New Zealand National sporting teams. That would be similar to the Aussie Maori's singing "God Defend New Zealand". In any case, the Indigenous All Stars match is about showcasing talent and acknowledging the contribution of Indigenous Aussies / Kiwis. It's been said before on this site - the match is NOT about having hatred for the opposition or creating a rivalry.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Not necessarily a war dance...can be a greeting or celebration but definitely Maori. I think NZers are a fair few steps ahead of us in the respect for their indigenous people. European NZers embrace the haka...I can’t imagine the same response if Australian teams performed an Indigenous dance. Maybe one day. I’d love to see the old “Ka Mate” haka get a revival...you don’t seem to see that as regularly as back in the day. I’m not sure why. The “A upane! ka upane!” part where the players are slapping their forearms is spine tingling stuff.
Nat
Roar Guru
One selection I really like is Ponga at 6. As this game has no bearing on the NRL proper, it would be good to see him have some fun in an open-style game. The backrow of Harris and Proctor (and Holmes) could have a field day running off him.
Nat
Roar Guru
That last part is an interesting proposition. Isn't the Haka a Maori war challenge, therefore, more suited to this team?
Sammy
Guest
There are over 150,000 Australians with Maori heritage and around 700,000 New Zealanders with Maori heritage. I'm not suggesting a quota system for the team, but you would expect to see around 3 Australians (and 14 Kiwis) in a 17 man squad. Would the team perform a different Haka - one that is not associated with the New Zealand National team ?
max power
Guest
he is croatian
The Barry
Roar Guru
That is a super side. What is Cleary’s Maori heritage and how did you find out about it? I’ve never heard of that before. That pack including the bench (and players who missed out) is incredibly strong. I hope there are some Australian players with Maori heritage in the side. I’m sure there’ll be the odd gronk that complains about it (“Australian one minute, Maori the next, make up yer mind mate...”) but to me it will add to the event. Very good team and I wonder how the Indigenous best 17 on paper stacks up against them.